Everton manager Roberto Martinez has praised midfielders Gareth Barry and James McCarthy for the partnership they have formed this season.
Veteran Barry is on loan from Manchester City while the talented McCarthy joined from Wigan Athletic in the summer and the pair have impressed the boss who has a good blend of players old and young.
"You need that blend of experience and youth and that partnership reflects it perfectly," he told the Liverpool Echo.
"You've got the know-how of Gareth and the legs, freshness and bravery of James. Their partnership is as good as it gets in that blend.
"Those two are at the centre of everything.
"They both share the attitude that should be part of any Everton player, that we must have a real arrogance on the ball.
"Also their emphasis is on work-rate and trying to get the ball back. They had a big impact on the spine of the team."
