Seamus Coleman says the increasingly talismanic figure of Dominic Calvert-Lewin is “driving Everton forwards” and maturing into one of the leaders in Carlo Ancelotti’s team.

Striker Calvert-Lewin scored his first Premier League hat-trick on Saturday when Everton fought off dogged West Bromwich Albion to maintain their 100 per cent winning start to the season.

Irish full-back Coleman identified the character Everton summoned to overcome a sluggish start against the Baggies as reason for optimism this term.

The 31-year-old, who started in the top-flight for the 250th time at the weekend, nevertheless promised his side will keep their feet on the floor after adding the win over Albion to a first-day victory at Tottenham Hotspur.

Forward James Rodriguez opened his Everton account against West Brom and Michael Keane netted for the second time in four days, as Ancelotti’s side twice extracted themselves from sticky spots after falling behind early on and being pegged back to 2-2 on 47 minutes.

“We were a bit out of sorts at the start but we showed great character to come back into the game and finish it,” said Coleman.

“That says a lot about this team.

“We have some great quality… we have a lot to learn but are very confident at the minute.

“We have Richarlison on the left [of Everton’s front three] working his socks off for 90 minutes creating space.

“Dominic doesn’t stop working, either.

“He is really benefiting from the quality in the team and I am not surprised how he has applied himself.

“He is turning into a leader alongside the likes of Mason [fellow 23-year-old, Holgate] and it is important for the young lads to show that leadership.

“He is really driving the team forwards from his number 9 position.

“We are delighted for him and he will keep working hard, that is not in doubt.”

James, operating from the right of Everton’s forward trio, progressively wielded his influence over West Brom.

Buoyed by his tremendous debut at Spurs – where the South American created five chances in a tight encounter – he swatted in a fantastic 25-yard finish for his first Everton goal.

He provided his first Premier League assist, too, hooking in the corner for Calvert-Lewin to complete his treble.

James, who had a substantial hand in Calvert-Lewin’s second with a delicate lofted pass for Richarlison to cross, struck 15 successful passes in Everton’s attacking third and recovered possession four times.

The superstar’s grounded attitude and appetite for the less glamorous jobs inevitably meet with the approval of Coleman, whose own credentials were saluted this week by Ancelotti, tipping the defender to play beyond his 40th birthday.

“It is a great milestone [reaching 250 Premier League starts],” said Coleman.

“I believe everything that comes out of that man’s [Ancelotti] mouth so I don’t want to doubt him.

“It might be difficult [to play to 40] but we’ll see. I feel good.

“My speeds are the same as I’ve always reached, so I’m looking forward to seeing how the season goes.

“James has unbelievable qualities. His range of passing and decision-making are fantastic.

“He is calm when he is picking out his passes in the final third, he is never forcing it.

“We are very fortunate to have him.

“He has been great in the changing room and great for a couple of our other foreign lads, who are really coming into their own.”

Coleman insists the additional competition for places provided by James and fellow new signings Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure is responsible for increasing training ground standards.

Equally, the calibre of Everton’s acquisitions, coupled with results over the past week, is creating renewed expectation.

That external pressure should be a permanent bedfellow for Everton, in the opinion of Coleman, who confessed he is acutely aware of the “fantastic” Jonjoe Kenny breathing down his neck for the right-back spot.

"This football club has seen success and we have a generation fans who expect us to win,” said Coleman.

“As long as I have been at Everton there has been an expectation to win.

“We have new players, now, world-class players, so the expectation will be there.

“The new players have brought great quality. The competition for places is very high, which means training standards are very high.

“All the players are keeping each other on their toes and that is how it has to be, to be successful

“It is not about 11 players, it is about the whole squad having the right attitude every day.

“We have had two games and two wins, which was what we wanted.

“But our heads won’t be in the sky on Monday, we will be ready to work again and fight in training and prepare for the next game.

“We need to work hard every day, then the bigger picture looks after itself.”

Coleman continued: “You want to make sure the lads understand what it means to play for this football club.

“We have a top-class manager who won’t accept anything less [than complete focus and effort].

“The standards and work-rate in training have been fantastic.

“It is important we make sure they stay at the same very high level.”