Demarai Gray insists Everton’s players are right behind Frank Lampard and understands supporters’ frustration following recent performances.
Everton had shipped seven goals in their past three league matches prior to Saturday's game against Manchester City. But Lampard's side produced a real gritty performance at the Etihad to stop the rot.
Erling Haaland opened the scoring for City after 24 minutes before Gray's magnificent goal midway through the second-half restored parity and ensured his side returned to Merseyside with a point. The Blues arrived in Manchester on the back of a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day.
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“We have gone through a lot of tough moments,” the 26-year-old said. “Last season we showed our character and we don’t want to be in that situation again this year.
“We’ve got off to the start we wanted to. It’s been a bit up and down but we have shown a real quality with our performances this season, it’s just about keeping our standards high and performing to that sort of level as much as we can and I think if we do that we will get more good results.”
Before Gray added: “It was a bit tough to take last week with the result, conceding when we did but in football the last game is gone and when you go back in to training you want to make it right, do the right things in training and it’s been difficult but we have shown our character again, it’s just about maintaining that.”
And as Everton prepare to welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Goodison Park on Tuesday, Gray admits the draw at the Etihad has provided his side with a 'massive boost' ahead of the game.
He said: “On the back of our last performances, football-wise, it was a massive improvement today. Obviously when you come to the Etihad you have to change your game plan a little bit but obviously we had a plan and stuck to it well.
“We got our reward with the goal and after that we dug deep so there are a lot of positives to take. It will be a massive boost for the squad on the back of the last performance. A lot of teams come here and get turned over.
“Manchester City are one of the best teams in the world so credit to us, we showed our quality and thanks to the fans obviously, supporting us all the way through but I think as a team we take that performance into the next game.”
That defeat to Wolves saw Lampard’s team leave the pitch to a crescendo of boos. But Gray is out to ensure Blues supporters are rewarded for the backing they give Everton’s players.
“I understand the supporters’ frustration at times and it’s down to us to take responsibility,” he said. “But we dug deep today and we are delighted to repay their support and being back at home, we need to get three points.”
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