BT Sport pundit slams Godfrey defending for Palace goal in Everton 3-1 loss
BT Sport pundit Rachel Brown-Finnis has slammed Ben Godfrey for his “criminal” defending as Everton suffered a 3-1 loss at the hands of Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The Toffees defender was at fault as the hosts doubled their lead at Selhurst Park yesterday (12 December), with James Tomkins tapping the ball into the net after Godfrey missed his clearance following Will Hughes’ corner kick.
Everton attempted to mount a comeback, with Salomon Rondon halving the deficit shortly after coming on, but Conor Gallagher compounded their woes, grabbing his side’s third with a worldie in the closing stages of the game.
Brown-Finnis said on Premier League productions after the game: “He’s not checking his back shoulder. As a wide full-back, that is constantly what you have got to do on corners, free-kicks, set-pieces.
“He leaves it open, and it’s the simplest of early Christmas presents for Tomkins. He’s not scored in a couple of years.
“Criminal! Split-second lack of concentration.
“I think Godfrey had a good game, and somewhere he had the energy and the fire Everton fans wanted to see.”
Should have done better
All three goals from Palace came about from errors from Everton players, and they were duly punished for it.
Demarai Gray’s short pass in the first-half was pounced on by Jordan Ayew, while Seamus Coleman’s poor clearance fell kindly to the hosts, but the second goal probably had the most damage on the game as it was arguably avoidable.
Godfrey failed to keep his eye on the ball and completely forgot that a Palace player was lurking at the back post.
For a manager that has prided himself in his sides’ defensive abilities over the years, Rafa Benitez would be at a loss after seeing how poor his side have been at the back.
There has been no improvement since 2021-22 started despite spending the whole pre-season with them, and only three teams have conceded more than the 28 goals they have so far this term.
Everton are currently 14th in the table, with just seven points separating them from the relegation zone, and they could soon be in trouble if nothing changes defensively.
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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