Godfrey tells Everton to keep up the good fight
EVERTON defender Ben Godfrey says the toffees must replicate the fighting spirit they showed against Manchester City in today’s clash with Brighton. Frank Lampard’s men, who are a point above the Premier League relegation zone in 16th place, ended a run of three successive defeats by holding champions City to a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium on new Year’s Eve. they return to Goodison Park today to play 10th-placed Brighton, for the first time since losing 2-1 to Wolves on Boxing Day, thanks to a stoppagetime rayan Ait-nouri goal. ‘the point and performance against City can be massive for us,’ said Godfrey. ‘obviously the game the other day against Wolves didn’t go our way and it was heartbreaking to lose so late on.
‘But to have the character that we’ve shown, to come to a tough place like City and leave with a point, is massive for us. ‘Consistency is key. We have to realise how important our character and hard work was, then learn from it and do it again. It’s so important in our next game that we show the same fighting spirit.’ the draw at the Etihad — in which he appeared to have something of a running battle with City striker Erling Haaland — saw the fit-again Godfrey make his first start since suffering a fractured fibula and damaged ankle ligaments in Everton’s opening game of the season against Chelsea.
Godfrey said: ‘It felt good to be back. It’s always hard when football gets taken away from you through injury — it was one of the toughest periods of my career. But I’m grateful for people around me who keep me going and it’s all worth it in the end to be back out there with the boys.’ Asked if his level of performance had surprised him, the 24-year-old, who has two England caps, said: ‘no. After an injury like that, I think people from the outside can maybe wonder what you’re going to come back like, but people don’t understand how many hours of hard work I’ve put in.
‘the people around me, the physios, my family, friends — whether that’s on-pitch, rehab in the gym, at home — everyone has put an unbelievable number of hours in. So it’s difficult to say I’ve surprised myself because you get out what you put in.
‘It’s really enjoyable to be back. Health is wealth. I’m so appreciative of being back and out playing with the boys.’