Euro 2012: England played like Chelsea, says Patrice Evra

Patrice Evra admitted his France side had been left frustrated by England's tactics during the 1-1 draw in the opening Euro 2012 Group D game.

The Manchester United full-back claimed it was like watching Chelsea's Champions League semi-final rearguard action against Barcelona.

Evra said: "I think we played much better than England, but in the end it was a draw and we are a bit frustrated.

"They played in the way that Chelsea played against Barcelona."

Joleon Lescott gave England the lead but Manchester City team-mate Samir Nasri equalised to ensure both teams take a point into their second games in Group D.

"At times it was like there were 15 bodies on the pitch," continued the 31-year-old.

"People laugh and maybe they want England to play more football, but if they win the tournament playing like that, they will be happy."

France coach Laurent Blanc said his side will have to start better in their remaining group games.

"England were excellent for the first 20 minutes," he said. "We took a while to get into the game and, as ever, we were punished.

"Perhaps it was inexperience but we didn't start the game as we'd hoped to. Had we not reacted we could have lost this game.

"I hope that doesn't happen again. In the next game, we have to get into it right from the outset."

Nasri, who was awarded the man-of-the-match award, was delighted to have beaten his Manchester City team-mate Joe Hart with a 20-yard equaliser six minutes before the break.

"When Franck Ribery gave me the ball, the England defence was sitting back," said Nasri.

"I decided to take a shot but Joe Hart knows me from Manchester City and knows that in that situation, I normally open my foot. This time I closed it a little bit so I am happy with how it worked out."

Nasri celebrated scoring by putting his finger to his lips, with press and Twitter speculating about who the gesture was aimed at.

"It's between him and his critics," said Blanc. "It's a personal thing, I don't want to get involved. He was happy to have scored a goal. You'll have to ask him to whom it was addressed."