Everton suffered an injury blow just a dozen minutes into the new Premier League season as Ben Godfrey was forced to leave the field in their match against Chelsea at Goodison Park.
The £20million signing from Norwich City in 2020 lined up as part Frank Lampard’s three centre-back system alongside Colombian international Yerry Mina and debutant James Tarkowski, who was a summer free transfer signing from Burnley after his contract at Turf Moor expired, but he had to be stretchered off the field following prolonged treatment.
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Godfrey, 24, was hurt following a challenge from Kai Havertz, in what was a strange passage of play. His over-hit back pass put Jordan Pickford in trouble with the goalkeeper scuffing his clearance – even though replays showed the ball had crossed the line for a corner-kick – and from the rebound, Havertz and the Everton central defender who had rushed back, collided with the home player falling awkwardly.
Godfrey, who played 23 times last season, was quickly surrounded by medical staff who tended to him for several minutes before he was carried down the Bullens Road touchline towards the stadium exit in the corner with the Park End.
