Everton were forced to settle for a draw in their Premier League Cup contest against Birmingham City.
The young Blues drew 1-1 with Birmingham in the match at Southport. Francis Okoronkwo scored the only goal for Everton late on in the first half.
However, Pharell Williams equalised for the visitors late in the second half to set up the 1-1 score line at Haig Avenue. The result leaves Everton in third place in Group F of the PL Cup, with just one point from their two fixtures so far.
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Southampton are currently top with two wins from two so far this season, with Colchester United two points ahead of Everton in second place. Birmingham are bottom and below the young Blues due to goal difference.
Despite Everton not winning the game, it also presented the opportunity for some valuable minutes for several players. One of them was Ben Godfrey.
The centre-back is still on his rehabilitation plan after suffering a serious injury on the opening day of the Premier League season against Chelsea in August. The outing against Birmingham was his second set of minutes since he picked up the injury three months ago.
His first return to action was against Southampton in the same competition earlier this month. Godfrey played an hour against the Saints, and played 76 minutes against Birmingham on Friday afternoon as he built up his match fitness.
Frank Lampard and co will be hoping that Godfrey is close to returning for the first-team by the time the Premier League rolls back around next month. The first match for the senior team after the break is against Wolves on Boxing Day.
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