Demarai Gray has outlined the more predatory instincts to his game that could help cure Everton’s scoring woes.
As they bid to avoid what would be their first relegation in 72 years, Everton are battling to stay in the Premier League and they are currently only being kept out of the drop zone on goal difference having netted just 23 times in 30 matches. With six goals in all competitions, Gray is the Blues’ top scorer but out of the four of these that were in the Premier League, just two were from open play with his last couple both coming from the penalty spot.
Some 10 matches into Sean Dyche’s reign as manager, Ellis Simms is the only person to score from open play when operating up front – when coming on as a substitute at Chelsea – but Gray, who has spearheaded the attack for the last five games spoke about his instinctive finish to equalise against Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park earlier this season when going through the middle rather than coming in from the flanks. In discussion with Makai Fray on Premier League’s YouTube Uncut, Gray said: “I like this goal because it’s different and it’s not the goals where I’m cutting in and it was a late goal but that’s just me learning more about being a winger with the coaches I’ve had. If you pull it back you can see I’ve curved the run and obviously the touch and finish as well.
“I was composed. I was thinking without even thinking.
“I try and hit it as close as possible to the keeper because if you try and go too precise, it’s easier for him to do that (motions outstretched arm) but if it’s inside his body, it can go in between (his arm and torso) or sometimes when I’ve scored goals, it’s gone through his legs.”
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Gray also debated which of his 19 Premier League goals to date was his best and eventually went for his first – for Leicester City at Old Trafford in 2016 – but admitted that his spectacular strike for the Blues at the Etihad on New Year’s Eve that earned him the Premier League’s Goal of the Month award for December 2022 was also special. He said: “Occasions make a difference. The Man U one, that was my first Prem goal and growing up I was a Man U fan.
“This goal (v City) we weren’t going through the greatest patch. For me, strike-wise United but it’s so tight.
“It was a good feeling. I was owed that one because I should have got one for my Man U goal but it was obviously a nice trophy to get and it’s in my house now and part of the furniture, happy to get it.”
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