Goalscorer Demarai Gray praised the strength of character his teammates showed to come from behind to rescue a point in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest, as he declared his confidence can build momentum following his 88th-minute leveller. 

The Englishman cancelled out Brennan Johnson's opener when Jordan Pickford sent a brilliant ball into the path of the Everton forward who made no mistake by slotting home in front of the Gwladys Street End.

The 26-year-old expressed how the result "felt like a defeat" given Everton were the more progressive team for large periods, but believes there are plenty of positives to take from their first point of the Premier League season.

“We’re obviously disappointed to concede when we did,” he said.

“We switched off for a second, but we showed character to come back. I think last season, that wouldn’t be the case.

“It shows improvements – I believe we had 19 shots today – so if we keep having that many attempts on goal then surely the goals will keep coming.

“I think we controlled the game. We were good in possession, did well to get into areas in the final third. It was just the finishing touches [that let us down] today.

“It feels like a loss based on how we played in the game, but it’s positive. A point on the board and hopefully we can now get some momentum.”

The pass from Pickford to Gray for his goal was exceptional and the Everton forward hailed his teammate as the nation’s best.

“It’s something we work on in training,” the Everton forward revealed.

“I saw the space and Pickford shows why he’s been England’s number one for a while.

“There was real quality on the kick and it’s found me and fortunately I’ve put it in.”

While Gray felt the Blues deserved more from the game, he highlighted how the mentality of the group continues strengthen under the influence of Lampard and his backroom staff.

“It’s the character [of this group]. At times last season, we may not have shown that.

“We’re showing it now and I’m sure we will at times over the course of this season and things will pay off.

“Against Chelsea, too, we were solid but in a split-second moment we give away a penalty.

“Against Villa, we switched off twice again, but I think we’re a lot more solid and compact this year.

“I think we’re difficult to play against. Teams will look at us and know that they’ll have to work for their results.

“It’s just about putting the formula together – doing the attacking and defending side all together.”