Everton manager David Moyes and centre-back Phil Jagielka have been named Manager of the Month and Player of the Month for February, and received their awards at the club’s Finch Farm training complex earlier today.
Despite struggling with injuries, Moyes, who seems to have built a tremendous team spirit coupled with a strong work ethic at Goodison Park, steered the Toffees to home league wins over both Bolton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion, as well as a draw at Newcastle United.
“Of course I am pleased with the recognition,” Moyes told Setanta Sports. ”But it is not for me, it is the players who have done their jobs. It is for the whole club. What I want is a trophy for the whole club to enjoy now, not just for me. It is hard to drag this award away from Sir Alex Ferguson these days, so that is something to be proud of.”
Jagielka, meanwhile, has been in tremendous form at the heart of the Blues’ defence, maintaining the level of performance that saw him called into the full England squad recently. He has also demonstrated his versatility, lining up at right-back for the recent trip to St James’ Park.
“It’s obviously great to win an award like this but it means that we’re doing well as a team,” Jags told evertonfc.com. ”No player has ever won an award at any level by himself and it’s testimony to the way Everton are playing and to the way we have been defending as a team. It’s nice to be acknowledged and I am honoured to be the Premier League player of the month and it’s terrific for the Club ahead of a big cup tie on Sunday to have the manager of the month as well. We’re clearly doing something right!”
Everton face Middlesbrough in the FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday, kick-off 16:00 GMT.
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