Carlo Ancelotti believes Everton signed an 'intelligent' and 'tactically top player' in Ben Godfrey on deadline day.
And Ancelotti also singled out Tom Davies for specific praise after Everton overcome Arsenal at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Everton were not expected to spend again in the summer transfer window after acquiring James Rodriguez, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure but returned to the market in a late £25m swoop for Godfrey from Norwich City.
Godfrey has helped his new club to three consecutive victories in December from an unfamiliar left-back position, with a goal from open play last conceded at the start of the month against Burnley.
Everton went second in the Premier League after the win over Arsenal and Ancelotti made sure to publicly commend his summer signing.
Ancelotti said: "Ben Godfrey is doing a fantastic job because he is not playing in his usual position
"He is showing he is a really intelligent player, tactically a really top player. He is replacing a fantastic left-back, that is Lucas Digne."
Davies replaced the injured Allan to start his first game in central midfield for Everton since the victory over Brighton and Hove Albion at the beginning of October.
Despite conceding a penalty, Ancelotti was impressed by the 22-year-old academy graduate who will be hoping to retain his place for the Carabao Cup quarter-final visit of Manchester United on Wednesday.
Andre Gomes is expected to return for the fixture, with Ancelotti turning to him when Allan suffered his hamstring injury in the win over Leicester City in midweek.
The Portuguese was left out of the squad for Arsenal with a hamstring precaution of his own as Ancelotti promoted Davies to the starting line-up.
The Everton manager said: "We had some injuries, important [players], but [against Arsenal] we were able to adapt.
"Tom Davies, he played really well. He replaced Allan, who is a really important player for us.
"I'm really pleased by this period of the team. We are not, in this moment, playing fantastic attacking football but this period of the team is really strong.
"I think we wanted these three games for the period and that showed in the game."
