Sky Sports pundit absolutely loved what Ben Godfrey did for Everton in 2-2 draw v Nottingham Forest
Ben Godfrey may have saved Everton a point with some “brilliant” defending in the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, according to Andy Hinchcliffe.
The central defender started the game out of position at left-back and had a fairly solid game as the Toffees earned a hard-fought point at the City Ground (5 March), despite having taken the lead on two separate occasions.
But late in the second half Godfrey was able to make a vital interception during a Forest counter attack, and while working commentary for Sky Sports (5 March, 15:31) Hinchcliffe was quick to praise the 25-year-old.
“That’s brilliant positioning from Ben Godfrey,” he said. “He knows exactly what Gibbs-White is trying to do.
“He just changes the angle of his defensive run. He knows Gibbs-White is looking to play that ball on the inside of his left shoulder to get Brennan Johnson in behind him and he just steps in field.
“He’s watching the ball and the man. Brilliant defending.”
Option
Vitalii Mykolenko has been the club’s only real left-back option since he joined the club in January 2022, replacing Lucas Digne for Rafa Benitez’s side.
His performances have largely been good, but he has struggled in more recent games since Dyche took over at Everton and a change was needed in the defence.
Despite having Ruben Vinagre in the squad too, it was Godfrey who got the nod and he looked like a genuine option there. He was quick, strong, good on the ball and aggressive in his duels.
There seemed to be a good intensity and balance to the defence with him in it, despite him being right-footed and a centre-back, but if he can continue to play well then he could well have a place in the side going forward for a while.
With defensive actions like that potentially saving us points and helping us close the gap on those around us, it could be a masterstroke from Dyche.