Alan Shearer singled out two Everton players for praise while Wayne Rooney saluted the club's summer transfer business after the opening day 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Shearer impressed by young midfield duo
Speaking on BBC's Match of the Day, Shearer praised former Middlesbrough captain Hayden Hackney and Harrison Armstrong, who started in midfield for the Blues with James Garner only fit enough for the bench after surgery.
The Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United legend said: "Armstrong and Hackney gave Everton a really good base. They had to suffer at times particularly in the first half but despite their lack of Premier League experience, there was no panic, and I think that was the most impressive thing."
"Armstrong more than plays his part in the first goal, winning the ball and then it was a piece of magic from Dewsbury-Hall. Fans love to see that, not giving the opposition time on the ball."
"And then it was really bright from Hackney (for the second goal), really clever and quick play. The cross was outstanding from Iliman Ndiaye, and so was the header from Thierno Barry, but it was the quick thinking that got them in there in the first place."
Rooney backs summer signings
Shearer added: "There was definitely a bit of freshness and energy in the Everton midfield and as I said there was no panic in that first half when Palace could have scored. They stuck to what they had to do and they did it really, really well."
Former Everton striker Rooney agreed with his fellow England great's assessment and talked up the deals done so far by his old club. He said: "I really like the signings Everton have made this summer. With George coming in off the wing role, after re-signing, I think Hackney is a really good signing, and Armstrong… there’s something a bit different with this David Moyes team."
"It’s a bit younger and it’s given a new lease of energy to Everton, so it’s a great start."
Moyes still wants a right-back
Everton have signed five players so far this summer, with Merlin Rohl and Tyrique George arriving permanently after loan spells, joined by Hackney, Christian Norgaard and Brennan Johnson. Norgaard missed the Palace game through injury, while Johnson came off the bench late. Goals from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry secured the win.
Moyes admitted after the game he still wants to sign a right-back despite Rohl impressing in that role. He said: "We definitely would like a right-back. We would. But I think that we're all concerned about it because it's more that, for example today, while we're playing Merlin right back, I couldn't play him in midfield as well."
"So, today keeps me short of numbers in midfield, and I'm having to balance a little bit of what we want. Look, we can still play Jake O’Brien at right-back. He's proved, certainly against a lot of the quick boys, that he's really good and he'll give us something if we need it in that position. But he prefers to be a centre back."
Everton travel to Preston North End in the Carabao Cup second round on Wednesday (8pm kick-off).
