Newcastle United's attack was one of the few positives to come out of the opening-day defeat to West Ham.
Goals from Callum Wilson and Jacob Murphy had given the Magpies the lead at half-time, only for the Hammers to ensure a comfortable victory following a second-half collapse from the hosts.
Steve Bruce admits his side need to 'sharpen up' defensively ahead of next weekend's visit to Aston Villa.
However, the head coach was pleased with the 'threat' posed by his forwards with Allan Saint-Maximin and Wilson both causing the visitors problems throughout.
It was an individual piece of brilliance from Saint-Maximin to create the opening goal, twisting and turning several times to bamboozle Declan Rice and fashion the space for the cross which Wilson duly converted.
Speaking during the half-time analysis for Sky Sports, Richards praised the role of both forwards in build-up to the goal.
He said: "When he gets into those positions he is simply unplayable. Declan Rice was the man dealing with him and he could have used some help from his defenders, but the run from Wilson is a skill in itself.
"The timing of the run is perfect and it was a fantastic goal."
Saint-Maximin endured a disrupted second season on Tyneside as a result of injury a positive Covid-19 diagnosis.
Former Tottenham defender Michael Dawson believes the Magpies' strike partnership has the capacity to trouble any defence in the Premier League.
However, the pundit believes consistency is the key for Saint-Maximin if United are to better their 12th-placed finish last season.
Speaking ahead of kick-off, Dawson said: "Obviously he is a great talent.
"When he turns up, he is a player, he is a performer but he has to do it on a regular basis to take Newcastle where they want to go and that is up the table.
"As a pairing with Wilson they will cause any defence in the league problems but he has to do it consistently."
