Alan Smith reacts to Ben Godfrey’s stamp on Tomiyasu in Arsenal clash
Everton defender Ben Godfrey escaped being sent off in the first-half of his side’s clash against Arsenal at Goodison Park on Monday night.
The versatile defender stamped on the face of Gunners defender Takehiro Tomiyasu today (6 December), and VAR was forced to check for any foul play, with Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith reckoning he could be in trouble.
However, Godfrey was left off the hook, saving the Toffees a huge blow as they could have been reduced to just 10 men barely 25 minutes into the game.
Smith said: (as shown on their website): “Looking at that again, he’s bang in trouble
“It looks like it’s something he could have avoided.
“You just never know what conclusion they are going to come to.”
Lucky
Everton were lucky as another official would have sent Godfrey off despite the fact he did not mean the tackle.
Playing with 10 men in a game they cannot afford to lose is the last thing the Toffees need right now, and heading into half-time on the back of a 1-0 loss did not do them any good.
Richarlison had his goal chalked off only for the visitors to score few minutes later before the break.
While Everton were lucky with VAR in one decision, it was not to be with their goal as they would be left to rue their luck following the intervention of the technology.
Rafa Benitez will be hoping his side can turn things around when action resumes, and he will need a lot of decisions to go in his favour for that to happen.
The Blues have lost six of their last eight games, and another defeat will only move them closer to the relegation zone.
They need to respond very quickly when play resumes, and the fans will not be forgiving if Arsenal leave with all three points.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are plotting January loan-to-buy bid for centre-mid hailed by Jack Grealish last month.
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