Premier League goalscoring greats Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney spoke about Everton's 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on BBC's Match of the Day
Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney spoke of how impressed they were with Everton young midfield duo Harrison Armstrong and Hayden Hackney
Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney spoke of how impressed they were with Everton young midfield duo Harrison Armstrong and Hayden Hackney(Image: BBC)
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Alan Shearer picked out two Everton players in particular for praise while Wayne Rooney saluted the club's summer transfer business so far after the opening day 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton have signed five players so far this summer with Merlin Rohl and Tyrique George arriving permanently after spending last season on loan at the club. They have been joined on Merseyside by Hayden Hackney, Christian Norgaard and Brennan Johnson.
Norgaad missed the victory over Palace through injury while Johnson made a late cameo off the bench. But Rohl, George and Hackney all played starring roles as goals from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry secured an ultimately deserved success.
And speaking in his analysis of the game on BBC's Match of the Day, Shearer raved above former Middlesbrough captain Hackney and Harrison Armstrong, who played in midfield for the Blues with James Garner fit enough only for a place on the bench after undergoing 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.
"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 that have so far been done 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 admitted after the game that he is still determined to sign a right-back despite midfielder Rohl impressing in that role against Palace.
The Blues boss, who could also be in the market for a striker, 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).