Maloney praise for strike duo

Last updated : 08 October 2012 By Paul Farrington

Both strikers were on the scoresheet and at times looked unplayable as the Everton defence struggled to maintain the pace, power, and skill of the duo.

Operating just behind Kone and Di Santo, Shaun Maloney was full of praise for the performance of the top two strikers. He said: "The front two are so vital in the way that we play and I thought they were outstanding in the first half.

"Arouna scored and set up a goal and Franco showed he is in top form. If those two perform like that all season it will give us such an advantage over teams in games."

Maloney was seen on many occasions working tirelessly in the centre of the park with James McCarthy and James McArthur and the former Aston Villa and Celtic striker acknowledged the fitness and intensity levels achieved.

He added: "The front two are so vital in the way that we play and I thought they were outstanding in the first half," he told the club's official website.

"Arouna scored and set up a goal and Franco showed he is in top form. If those two perform like that all season it will give us such an advantage over teams in games."