Nasri revels in deceiving Hart

France midfielder Samir Nasri revealed he deceived Manchester City team-mate Joe Hart in order to score his equaliser in Monday night's Euro 2012 draw in Donetsk.

Nasri was crowned official UEFA man of the match after the 1-1 draw with England. It was the midfielder's strike just before half-time that earned his side a point after another City man, Joleon Lescott, had put England ahead after 30 minutes.

"When Franck Ribery gave me the ball, the England defence was really low (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."

Although Nasri was disappointed France only collected a point, he accepts it is already a vast improvement on the debacle that unfolded in South Africa two years ago.

Laurent Blanc's men have taken their unbeaten run to 22 games and are in good heart ahead of a meeting with co-hosts Ukraine in Donetsk on Friday.

"We are making a lot of progress," he said. "We have come from nothing in 2010, when we made a lot of mistakes. Today we are more mature. We can do something with this group."

Nasri played down the large ice-pack he had strapped to his knee, insisting it was "nothing serious".

He also said England would be a far better side once Wayne Rooney has completed his two-match suspension.

"That will make a big difference," he said. "He is a top-class player, someone who can make a difference in a big game.

"He proves that every single week for Manchester United. It will have a big impact when he comes back for the last game of the group stage."