Everton boss Roberto Martinez expressed his "immense pride" for the club's "incredible" fans after a turbulent 24 hours building up to this evening's 0-0 Europa League draw at Lille.

The contest had been preceded by trouble in the French city involving Toffees supporters, including an attack on some of them at a bar by a group of at least 50 men on Wednesday night, and a subsequent flare-up in the main square around Thursday lunchtime which saw French police use gas against them.

The Group H game itself was witnessed by around 5,500 Everton fans in the away end of the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, but there was talk that as many as twice that amount in total had made the trip to Lille.

Martinez did not comment on the specific incidents of trouble that had occurred, saying in his post-match press conference when asked about them: "I heard something was reported, but don't know any details about it."

But he also said with regard to the fans: "I can only speak from my point of view and the first thing I feel is immense pride and an incredible feeling of seeing what we are as a football club.

"The support doesn't stop amazing me day to day - it is incredible.

"I have seen full families coming across, some without tickets just wanting to be near the hotel and wish the players well.

"It really meant something for thousands of them, and you keep getting closer to understanding what the Evertonians deserve.

"I would say this will be an incredible memory and that we will be talking about this trip for a long time.

"It gives even more strength to everyone at the club to keep fighting, making sure Everton can carry on progressing and keep having nights like this and success.

"The support we have is quite unique around Europe."

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