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 82^nd minute to cancel out Ari’s 43^rd 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.”