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Phil Jagielka says the 'rules have changed' for Everton now they have the backing of billionaire investor Farhad Moshiri.

And the Blues skipper believes the work of new manager Ronald Koeman has also helped lift the mood around Goodison after last season.

Everton signed off for the international break with a deserved 1-0 win over Stoke City on Saturday to leave them with seven points from their opening three league games under the Dutchman.

Jagielka says Koeman addressed the Blues' defensive issues as soon as the squad returned for pre-season training and believes he would “snap your hand off” for a clean sheet every weekend.

But the Everton captain insists the boss still wants to see them play an attacking brand of football in the new era at the club.

"The change was evident when the manager came in,” Jagielka told the ECHO.

“It was like the first day at school again as you don't really knew where you stand.

“We have a lot of money to spend as we've spent quite a bit and obviously John (Stones) left so it has been a whirlwind six weeks and that's what happens when the rules are changed in terms of Everton Football Club.

“For the majority of the time I've been here the spending has not been as easy as it could have been but with the TV money and a different owner things are slightly different and you can sense that.

“The manager has gone out there and put his money in players, given those players a chance and at the moment we are doing well.

“The atmosphere has changed with a cup win and seven points from nine in the league so it is a happy camp.

“For the last six to eight weeks there has been a totally different mood and that is down to how the club has changed.

“It is difficult to say after three or four games but he (Koeman) has looked at how many goals we conceded and he has spoken to us as he is definitely not happy with that.

“To the same extent he wants us to keep going forward and creating the chances we did so he is slowly putting his ideas into how we can still be entertaining but he would snap your hand off for a 1-0 in every game.

“If you ask us in a few more months there maybe more of an identity shift but at the moment we are in transition from the previous manager.”

Jagielka agreed that the win over Stoke felt like an 'old-school' Everton victory.

"I think so, even down to putting an extra defender on at the end and seeing it out,” he said.

“We know what great fans we've got and what they want to see and it seems we have gone back to that a little bit but we've not gone to a team who just smashes it and runs after it.

“There is a time and a place for everything and that is probably what the fans are happy about.”

Former Everton boss David Moyes asked about taking Jagielka to Sunderland earlier this summer as part of the deal that would see Lamine Kone come the other way.

The Blues rejected the approach and Jagielka is determined to reinforce his importance at Goodison.

"The manager has given me the opportunity to be the captain and to play games so the ball is in my court and that is how most of us are, no-one is guaranteed to play,” he said.

“It keeps us on our toes.

“I understand the position I am in with my age being a factor to some people they may think it is time for me to step down but it is up to me to prove them wrong and go from there.

“I've played the games, I don't think I've done too bad and I'll keep going.”