From the moment Sean Dyche named his first Everton line-up just over a month ago, one of the lingering questions had been where Demarai Gray featured in his plans. It was not even clear whether he did fit in them at all.
The winger was one of Everton’s best players in the dying embers of Frank Lampard’s reign. He had little competition, but from the return of the domestic schedule to Lampard’s final game at West Ham, he was as effective as anyone in Royal Blue.
The high point was the stunning goal that earned Everton a surprise point at Manchester City, but over that period he provided glimpses that he could offer a genuine threat through the middle. Which is why as Dyche sought goals amid the injury problems endured by Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has not been involved since the first hour of the new manager’s first game, Gray’s absence became increasingly stark.
