Demarai Gray has spoken of his delight and explained his celebration after scoring his first Everton goal against Leeds United.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin put the Blues ahead from the penalty spot before Mateusz Klich equalised four minutes before the break.
The Blues completed the signing of Gray from Bayer Leverkusen on a three-year deal last month with the winger’s big moment arriving five minutes after the restart at Elland Road.
Collecting Abdoulaye Doucoure’s pass inside the box, the former Leicester City man cut a shot back across the keeper with his left foot and found the bottom corner of the net.
Read more: Everton player ratings as Demarai Gray shines but defender struggles again at Leeds United
However, the goal wasn’t to be a winning one as Raphinha's stunning strike 18 minutes from time ensured a share of the points.
But in the immediate aftermath of the goal, Gray went running towards the away end and appeared to fail in his attempted knee slide.
Blues defender Ben Godfrey, who missed the game due to isolation, quickly took to Twitter to poke fun at his teammate.
He wrote: “Show us that knee slide.”
And now Gray has explained his celebration, saying: “I went flying to be fair – I think I did a front flip!
“I am just delighted to get off the mark, help the team and score in front of the away fans.”
After taking the lead, further chances followed for the Blues, with Calvert-Lewin twice going close, and Gray believes his side must learn to kill games off when they get the chance to.
He said: “Against a team like Leeds, you have got to try to bury them, to kill the game off. I think, overall. we could’ve taken more out of the game.
“Leeds are always going to apply the pressure with their fans right behind them. They got their equaliser and, in the end, we have to take the point.”
Gray has impressed in his first two Everton appearances in the Premier League and credits the tactics and man-management of Rafa Benitez for his impressive start.
“I am working well with the manager, and I feel like I have integrated into the team and the system very well,” he said.
“For me, that’s the focus. I want to be a threat up top and hopefully put more goals in. Personally, it is important (to have a good start).”
