Everton Manager, Roberto Martinez
Everton Manager, Roberto Martinez

Martinez delighted with team character

Roberto Martinez believes that Everton’s 1-1 draw with FC Krasnodar will serve as a very good lesson for them after playing as second best for much of the Group H clash at the Kuban Stadium.

Samuel Eto’o – the ex-Anzhi Makhachkala player, grabbed a late equaliser back on Russian soil. He stabbed in Leighton Baines’ cross in the 82nd minute to cancel out Ari’s 43rd minute goal for the hosts who created the majority of the chances in the game and they came close to making it 2-0 when substitute Wanderson hit the bar in the second half just a minute after coming on.

Martinez said his side achieved an incredible result and gave them a lot of experience.

“It has been a very good lesson for us. I think anything you can get away from home is a positive, but Krasnador played really well.

“I thought we couldn’t find our attacking rhythm in the first half. In the second half, Romelu (Lukaku) helped us. I think in the end we deserved it. I was delighted with the character that we showed.

“I thought Krasnador adapted well in the first half, better than us, and probably we then finished stronger.

“Maybe a draw is a fair result, but Krasnador did have a lot of chances they couldn’t take and it could have been a different story.”

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