Daniel Feliciano

Mon 22 August 2022 6:10, UK

Martin Keown has labelled Everton duo Jordan Pickford and Demarai Gray as “brilliant” for their part in the goal that earned a vital point against Nottingham Forest.

The Toffees looked set for a third consecutive defeat when Brennan Johnson scored with just nine minutes left to give the visitors the lead, before Pickford’s long ball picked out Gray and he slotted past Dean Henderson.

Speaking on BBC Match of the Day [August 20], Keown praised Gray for his “different class” first touch to set up the strike and said he was hopeful that the winger would go on and deliver more consistently now with added confidence.

“A word for Pickford here, brilliant,” he said.

“Top of the screen, look how he stays onside there Gray, brilliant. Does it really well, but okay it’s poor defending. First touch, different class and he just tucks it away with aplomb.

“Hopefully that gives him the necessary confidence and that gave them a vital point really, because to have lost this again would have been three defeats on the trot.”

Class

There was a stage at the start of last season where Gray was the go to man for Everton when it came to match winning or point saving moments.

He faded away as the season went on and Anthony Gordon rose in prominence, but he seems to be relishing the added importance once again this season.

He’s a fantastic attacking player with great pace and a wicked final ball, and he needs to develop more to be able to string it together consistently as the season goes on to be someone Everton can rely upon more regularly.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin injured again, Richarlison gone and Gordon’s future up in the air amid interest from Chelsea and Manchester United, there is a chance for him to step up once again and take that responsibility once more.

The next Premier League game away at Brentford is a huge one as the club need points already even at this early stage of the season, and Gray could be vital to picking them up in his current form.