Everton midfielder Gareth Barry reckons the 21 year old has benefited from last season's difficulties when he failed to fulfil his previous campaign's promise.

"Ross burst onto the scene and set his standards so high but inevitably it is impossible to keep those going continuously," Barry told Press Association Sport.

"I am sure last season he would have wanted to score more goals and have more assists but you can't continuously keep that upward curve going.

"But it will have been a good year for him in terms of his future and he started well with a fantastic goal."