Everton captain Phil Jagielka has insisted that he got a touch on the ball in the challenge that saw him sent off on the opening day of the Premier League season.

Jagielka was dismissed just before half time of the 2-2 draw with newly-promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Saturday after referee Craig Pawson had adjudged his challenge on Diogo Jota to be foul play.

Everton boss Marco Silva described the decision as "harsh", and Jagielka also defended himself on Instagram, saying that he was trying to make up for "a bad touch" with "an honest strong challenge".

Well done boys for a battling performance! Congrats to @richarlison for ⚽️⚽️ on your debut 💙. As for me I had a bad touch then tried to make up for it with a honest strong tackle, in my eyes I made a good attempt to get the ball (which i did) and I also can see I got player after. Gutted to be sent off but proud of the performance of the boys! 💙COYB

A post shared by Phil Jagielka (@pjags06) on Aug 12, 2018 at 2:58am PDT

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"In my eyes I made a good attempt to get the ball (which I did) and also can see I got the player after. Gutted to be sent off but proud of the performance of the boys," Jagielka wrote.

Jagielka is banned for three matches and will miss games against Southampton, Bournemouth and Huddersfield.