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Jagielka backs Jelavic to rediscover goalscoring form

Nikica Jelavic has managed just one goal in his last eight games © PA Photos

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Phil Jagielka has backed Nikica Jelavic to rediscover his goalscoring touch and fire Everton back up the Premier League table.

The Croatia international enjoyed a spectacular run of form after arriving at Goodison Park from Rangers last January, scoring 11 goals in 16 appearances as David Moyes' men finished seventh in the Premier League.

But the going has been tougher of late, with the striker managing one goal in his last eight games.

Jelavic, 27, has still scored five times this season, but it is team-mate Marouane Fellaini who has led the way for Everton with eight goals.

Centre-back Jagielka, though, reckons Jelavic's recent dip is nothing to worry about, and that the goals will soon flow again to help his team rise from their current position of sixth in the Premier League.

He told the Liverpool Echo: "Everything was working for him when he came and now the person who is playing up front with him - Felli - everything is coming off for him.

"Look up at Newcastle. Demba Ba was on fire then Papiss Cisse came and Ba didn't score. This season it is the opposite way round. That is the way cycles go.

"We'd love to have both Felli and Jela firing on all cylinders but it's not like Jela is getting into four or five good positions and missing easy chances every game. It is just not breaking for him.

"He knows we're supporting him and he'll get frustrated on the days it doesn't happen but we know he'll come good. And, at the moment we're doing OK without his goals so when he does hit the ground running again, he'll make us even stronger."

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