Friday 24 October 2014 09:41, UK
Everton boss Roberto Martinez was pleased his side were able to emerge from Lille with a point following a 0-0 draw and keep his side top of Europa League Group H.
However, Martinez was critical of the state of the pitch and admitted he could only really be half-satisfied given his team - like Lille - had not been able to create much in attack on Thursday night.
"For us, it is about performing well and getting a positive result," the Spaniard said.
"I was pleased in terms of players coming in (Martinez made six changes to his first XI) and performing to a high standard, but I think the pitch didn't help either side.
"I think with a better pitch, we would have seen a lot more brilliant attacking football from both. I think all in all a draw was a fair result.
"If you could measure the pleasure at the end of the performance, it would be at 50 per cent because I thought we were fantastic defensively. But I did think we couldn't be ourselves (going forward) - the condition of the pitch didn't allow us to take risks."
Martinez had particular praise for Everton skipper Phil Jagielka, who did a fine job of keeping at bay the likes of Divock Origi, the forward loaned back to Lille after joining Liverpool over the summer.
The manager said of centre-back Jagielka: "Nothing affects his level of performance.
"I think the last few weeks he has been immense. I do think he is a step ahead of where he was before."
Martinez also confirmed Toffees midfielder Ross Barkley required stitches for a head injury but is expected to be fine for Sunday's Premier League trip to Burnley.
"It was a cut on his eyebrow and he was bleeding heavily," Martinez said.
"I think there was a collision - an elbow or forearm.
"The Lille player was trying to block his run and caught him. I don't think it was anything really malicious, but I think if the referee had seen it, he would have been punished."
Lille boss Rene Girard, whose side are third on three points, said: "We are satisfied to have been able to compete with Everton. Once again we lacked a goal to get a win, but I was really satisfied with the football we produced.
"Maybe he (Martinez) and his team are used to playing on perfect pitches, on pool tables.
"Maybe it was a little bit rough. But I don't think it really disrupted the teams playing a technical game.
"The conditions used to be better, but due to the weather lately maybe it was a little bit heavy.
"Maybe we can mention to Everton or UEFA that if we played with a closed roof it would have been less wet.
"We asked for that, but it was refused."
