Demarai Gray stunning strike for Everton nominated for Premier League Goal of the Month award
Everton winger Demarai Gray’s stunning strike against Manchester City has been nominated as one of eight goals for the Premier League Goal of the Month award for November and December.
The 26-year-old’s stunning goal helped Frank Lampard’s side nick a 1-1 draw against the Premier League Champions just before the New Year (Saturday 31 December).
Cutting in from his left wing, the Toffees ace appeared to stumble over the ball before recovering his balance and unleashing an unstoppable strike beyond the clutches of Ederson in the Man City net.
As announced on the Premier League’s official website, Gray’s goal will go up against seven other stunners, including Miguel Almiron’s beautifully-worked goal against Leicester City and James Ward-Prowse’s trademark free-kick against Fulham.
Supporters’ votes will be combined with the choices of the Premier League website’s panel of experts to determine a winner.
Beauty
There was never any denying Gray’s goal of being on this shortlist, and it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see him scoop up the award.
Coming at such a critical juncture in Everton’s season, and after falling a goal down against a potentially rampant City side, the strike may well have saved Lampard’s job on the eve of 2023.
The moments of magic Gray is capable of can be matched by few others in this Toffees squad, and it is disappointing that the winger has blown so hot and cold when possessing such raw potential.
His numbers just haven’t been good enough since moving to Goodison Park in 2021. Just eight goals from 52 appearances represent a player who has failed to live up to the hype he was given as a youngster.
Hopefully, this strike against City can kickstart a return to goalscoring form, as Everton could really do with a fresh source of goals as the business end of the season approaches.