Jermaine Jenas: Demarai Gray has become confident thanks to Benitez
Demarai Gray inspired Everton to a 1-1 draw against Manchester United on Saturday, starting the attacking play that produced the equaliser.
The English attacker, 25, threaded a pass towards Abdoulaye Doucoure after beating Fred, and the Frenchman supplied Andros Townsend with the assist as the Toffees drew level late in the game.
Gray was not directly involved in the goal, but he played a key role in ensuring Everton left Old Trafford with a point, and his confidence was evident for all to see.
Jermaine Jenas believes the forward’s form is down to the influence of Rafa Benitez, praising the Toffees manager for his role in bringing him to Merseyside in the summer.
He told BT Sport (via their official Twitter account): “It goes back to good management from Rafa Benitez. From what I’ve heard, he maintained a connection with Demarai even before he signed for Everton.
“So it was very much like an encouraging stuff, so when that moment comes when he becomes available, Demarai knows he’s going to a man he can trust and that actually loves him.
“That marriage is very very important.”
Influence
Gray struggled at Leicester City and Bayer Leverkusen after some promising starts at both teams, but things have been different since he got to Goodison Park.
The former England youth international has three Premier League goals and an assist in seven games and has always turned up in all of those appearances.
He cost Everton just £1.7million, and Benitez will be glad to have sealed such a bargain signing.
The Spaniard revealed that he had kept tabs on Gray since he was at Newcastle United [Liverpool Echo], and he promptly made a move once he became available for a transfer.
Man Utd had a lot of costly top players lined up and on the bench, but an Everton attack that cost very little in the summer dealt them a huge blow.
Benitez deserves all the plaudits for bringing Gray back to the Premier League and making him play well again.
Gareth Southgate is definitely watching, and an England call-up could be on the cards if he keeps impressing.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are in hunt for new coach after exit left void in key behind-the-scenes area.
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