Sylvain Distin hails "refreshing" Ross Barkley, Muhamed Besic

Everton defender Sylvain Distin has hailed the "refreshing" duo of Ross Barkley and Muhamed Besic following Monday's 3-1 win over Queens Park Rangers.

The pair formed a formidable partnership in the centre of the Toffees' midfield, with Barkley opening the scoring with a 25-yard screamer in the first half.

Although Distin, 36, admits that the youngsters have a little to learn defensively, the Frenchman says that he and his fellow veterans can help steer them in the right direction.

"They are two young players and need some guidance from the lads around them," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"They're so willing to push forward and attack that sometimes they forget their duties defensively but as long as they have players around them to communicate and keep talking it's all good.

"It's refreshing for used to have players like that wanting to snap up every ball and get forward like that. It's good."

Kevin Mirallas - who was stretchered off late on, with manager Roberto Martinez admitting that it is a "real bad ankle" injury - added a second before half time.

Steven Naismith then struck a third goal to kill off any hopes of a comeback, though Bobby Zamora did net a consolation for the Hoops in the final minutes.