Roberto Martinez hailed his Everton FC side after they became Britain's sole flag-bearer in this season's Europa League.The Toffees' stylish progress into the last 16, courtesy of a 3-1 second leg triumph over Young Boys, means they are the only Premier League club left in the competition.
Once again Martinez's men were able to put their domestic struggles to one side and treat Goodison to another enjoyable night of European action.
“To be in this stage of the competition after scoring seven goals over two legs is phenomenal,” said the Catalan. “Being the last British team in the Europa is a very satisfying achievement.
“I am surprised we are the only British team left because of the quality we have in our league you feel we can compete in European Leagues.
“The quality of Spurs, Liverpool and even Celtic you feel will have a big impact in Europe but it shows it's not easy. It's not easy to adapt to playing away, adapting to different styles and teams. I am just happy we adapted.”
Martinez remains concerned by Everton's inability to continue their winning European form in the Premier League, but he vowed to get things right ahead of Sunday's trip to Arsenal.
"It is a period that is frustrating but needed for us to find the answers," he said. "It is a small aspect we need to put right, we need to put our mentality ready. Not to carry a sense of frustration in the league.
"Tonight we play full of energy and not having any doubts in how we play.
"In the league we carry responsibility of having to reach the heights we did last season. We need to make sure in the next 12 games we get the results I think we are capable of getting.
"For the amount of winning positions we create, we don't get results we are capable of and that is part of the learning curve for a young team. I feel we can get through this period and find the answers internally."
Romelu Lukaku's confident brace took his Blues tally for the campaign so far to 15 in all competitions, and his manager was quick to praise his contribution once again.
"His goalscoring record is exceptional," he said. "Rom in the last five games has been very consistent in chances he has created. You measure that aspect rather than what we converts.
"He scored two, scored a hat-trick in the first leg, didn't score against Leicester but had a number of chances and that is what pleases me. He is showing he is a natural goalscorer.
"Sometimes you need to remember the age that he has, as he is such a mature goalscorer, that is a knack that not many people have at that age."
By Greg O’Keeffe, Echo
