Evans: Spirit & Character

- Jonny Evans reflects on Leicester City’s 3-3 draw at SC Braga on Thursday
- The Foxes top Group G of the UEFA Europa League and have qualified for the knockout stages
- Evans applauds his side’s character after they came from behind on three occasions

At Estádio Municipal de Braga, the Foxes snatched a late point courtesy of Jamie Vardy’s 95th-minute equaliser, as they recovered from a one-goal deficit for the third time in the game.

The 3-3 draw, which also saw Academy stars Harvey Barnes and Luke Thomas find the net, was enough for City book their spot in the Round of 32 with matches against Zorya Luhansk and AEK Athens to come.

"I think we're delighted that we're through,” the Northern Irishman told LCFC TV. “Obviously, scoring in the last minute is nice, too.

“To sort of come back and guarantee our qualification, we're probably disappointed in certain aspects of the game, but I think we can be pleased with our spirit and the way we came back in [the game] numerous times and we showed great character from the lads.

“Before the game, we knew that in a four-team group you think that at 10 points, not many teams go out of the group on 10 points and we knew we put ourselves in a good position coming away here.

“It was a very difficult game against a good team and to get that point was great in the end.”

Braga looked to have won the game when Fransérgio scored with only injury time remaining, but Vardy’s last-gasp leveller – assisted by Marc Albrighton – restored parity in time added on.

“It was a great goal to get it back [to 2-2] and we got back in the game and you're sort of thinking, we've got our point,” Evans said. “Obviously, they break away and score and you're thinking, we had something like four minutes left.

“So, I still think we felt we would get a chance in the game, especially as in the last 20 minutes we were really putting them under the pressure and looking dangerous.

“The manager always talks about not getting carried away. When we win, and it's the same when you lose, you've got to analyse the game and be calm, and carry out our game plan.

“I think the good thing that we've been able to do, especially this season, we lost a couple of games, the West Ham game and [against] Aston Villa, we came back from that, and picked up some good results.”

With 10 points from the first four games, Evans says City’s target now switches to winning Group G, which could happen on Thursday, when they head to Ukraine to face Zorya, should results go their way.

“We want to win the group,” Evans said. “I think it would allow for a better path when we're into the next round in the qualifications of the knockout stages.

“There's also a bit of pride. You could see tonight, Braga, I think that puts them still in a position where they might be able to win it themselves, so we've got to make sure that we remain determined to do that and come away as champions of our group.”

Leicester’s Premier League campaign resumes on Monday, when Fulham visit King Power Stadium, and Evans knows City’s recovery will be equally as important as their tactical preparation for the game.

“It’s nice that it's on Monday!” Evans said. “It gives you an extra couple of hours to recover. But we've got the squad to do it. We just need to make sure that we recover well.

“I think all the boys are enjoying the games coming all the time and the lads are getting plenty of minutes. It's a challenge, physically, but it's one that I think we're up to.”