Townsend and Gray give Everton cutting edge

Everton manager Rafa Benitez has lauded the new signings of Andros Townsend and Demarai Grey as both scored in a 3-1 win against Burnley on Monday to maintain their side’s impressive start to the new campaign.

Without the injured Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the hosts were struggling and were trailing 1-0 by Ben Mee before scoring three goals in six minutes.

Winger Townsend, signed on a free transfer from Crystal Palace, produced a pinpoint cross to set up Michael Keane’s key equalizer and the former Crystal Palace winger hit a sensational left footed shot to put Everton ahead.

Gray completed the turnaround as he headed home after catching a pass from Abdoulaye Doukoure.

Everton have now scored 10 goals in four matches and are level on 10 points with leaders Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Benitez said, “When we scored our goal, we had more confidence, played 4-3-3, created more chances and could score more goals. Really pleased with the relationship between the team and the fans. We see Let’s build a fort here.

“Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend both have quality and are good professionals. They are willing to learn, even Andros at his age. The main thing in this team, everyone said we need wingers.

“Today Richardson also did a great job and the two wingers helped the striker get better.”

Gray, a former Leicester City winger, has scored in each of his last three matches since joining Bayer Leverkusen and his £1.7million looks a bargain.

While it was a satisfying night in the end for Everton, Burnley’s poor start continues and they have only one point from their opening game, finishing 18th.

“A poor reaction to our scoring. We let them get into the game and then go crazy six minutes later. You have to get things done,” manager Sean Dyche said.

“I think it’s a really good performance until they score. My big feeling is that we’re smarter than that six minutes. That’s something we have to learn from.”