The name’s Gray… Demarai Gray. The 26-year-old is Everton’s top scorer so far this season with his effort from 12 yards out at the City Ground being his sixth goal of the campaign but after slotting in against Brentford at Goodison Park, referee Simon Hooper disallowed his effort for a supposed handball after consulting with David Coote who was on VAR duties back at Stockley Park. Video evidence both inside the stadium at the time and on television since looks inconclusive while a still photograph of the incident seems to show the ball hitting Gray’s chest but despite the setback – the player himself took to Instagram to share a picture of him celebrating in front of the Park End with the caption: “Thanks VAR” – Dyche is pleased with how the former Leicester City man is taking to his new task of leading the line.
Sean Dyche said: “Demarai is not an out-and-out centre-forward so we’ve got to give him a little bit of licence to play just as himself. Really there’s that open look at him because at the minute he’s learning fast because although he has played there, he hasn’t played there regularly so we’ve got to expect that some of his game adapts quickly and it’s something that he has to learn. He kept working. He showed patches where he carries it well and into the right areas and he worked hard for the team and it’s not always easy when you’re playing a strong outfit and defensively strong outfit like Brentford.”
