Danny Murphy claims that James Tarkowski is 'the best English centre-half that's playing regularly'

Danny Murphy claimed on Match of the Day that Everton's James Tarkowski is 'the best English centre-half that's playing regularly' right now.

Everton comprehensively beat Crystal Palace 3-0 at Goodison Park yesterday, keeping their third clean sheet of the season, and again showing the solidity of their defence, as they have conceded the joint-fourth least amount of goals in the Premier League this season (12).

Danny Murphy heaped praise on 29-year-old Tarkowski on Match of the Day last night following the positive result.

"He's [Tarkowski] the best English centre-half we have that's playing regularly. He's been that good." Murphy said.

Usual England centre-back starters Harry Maguire and John Stones have not been playing regularly for their clubs for one reason or another, and it seems that Murphy rates Tarkowski over Spurs defender Eric Dier, who starts regularly.

A graphic on MOTD showed that Tarkowski has recorded the most blocks (25), second most clearances (69) and third most interceptions (21) out of all Premier League defenders this season.

Ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown was also on MOTD, and he voiced his opinions not only on Tarkowski but his centre-back partner Conor Coady.

He said: "It's about getting people back from injury. Dier's probably the only one playing regularly. Stones is sitting on the bench. But these two are really catching the eye.

"Conor Coady's playing in a pair as well! We were told he couldn't play [in a defensive pairing], but he's now playing really well."

Tarkowski and Coady were both signed this summer to help fix Everton's leaky defence after they conceded 66 goals in the league last season, and it seems to be working so far.

Both players have become mainstays in Everton's XI as Frank Lampard's men slowly find their form this season.

Another talking point from the win over the Eagles was the goalscoring return of Everton number nine, Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

After battling with injuries for the past few weeks and months, Calvert-Lewin was back in the XI and back amongst the goals as he opened the scoring with an excellent touch and finish past Guaita.

If Everton can keep this momentum going, there is a big opportunity for Tarkowski, Coady and Calvert-Lewin alike to give England manager Gareth Southgate a headache in the build-up to this year's World Cup.