---
title: "Everton fans praise Ben Godfrey despite defeat to Man City"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/everton-fans-praise-ben-godfrey-performance-man-city/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Jones"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2021-02-18T10:30:00Z"
modified: "2021-02-18T10:30:00Z"
---

# Everton fans praise Ben Godfrey despite defeat to Man City

[Everton](https://readeverton.com/2021/02/18/everton-morning-news-round-up-18th-february-2021/)’s [3-1 defea](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPf2wh-Ua0c)t against Manchester City provided one minor consolation which was gladly lapped up by many Toffees fans – and with good reason.

The performance of [Ben Godfrey](https://readeverton.com/2021/01/18/ben-godfrey-reveals-excitement-everton-signing-praise-james-rodriguez/), operating again [at left-back](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3421827) in order for Lucas Digne to play in a more advanced capacity, proved to be a crumb of comfort for the defeated Merseysiders.

Digne, who did [virtually all of the work](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPf2wh-Ua0c) in the build-up to Richarlison’s equaliser, was offered the freedom to run forward, with the defensive assurances offered by Godfrey. The 22-year-old won three of his four duels and misplaced just three of his 21 passes, as well as making four clearances and winnign two tackles ([Sofascore](https://www.sofascore.com/everton-manchester-city/rY)).

Godfrey has a higher average [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/287504/Show/Ben-Godfrey) rating for his performances at left-back than in his preferred centre-back role, with the long-term data indicating that he seems to suit a dynamic full-back role quite well.

Having [barely featured at left-back](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ben-godfrey/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/343475/saison//verein/0/liga/0/wettbewerb//trainer_id/0/pos/4) in his career prior to his move to Goodison Park, the [£22.5m-rated](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ben-godfrey/profil/spieler/343475) defender’s display against Manchester City only proved further that there is a tactical rationale for deploying him there.

That was not lost on many Everton fans who felt that three goals were conceded despite Godfrey, not because of him, and these Toffees took to Twitter to show their appreciation for his efforts last night:

> Twitter: @ToffeeTVEFC Godfrey played 4 different positions and not once let Mahrez go on his left foot. He is a £100m defender in the making. (@imcgov)

> Twitter: We lose the game regardless of their third goal, they’d have scored another anyway. Felt we’ve played much better t… https://t.co/bk7u9hxjBT (@JamesBrownEFC)

> Twitter: Ben Godfrey doesn’t get talked about enough, serious baller ![?](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/svg/1f976.svg)![?](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/svg/1f499.svg) @Everton @BenG0dfrey https://t.co/NNm3i4CwBl (@karljeff8)

> Footy is in good hands with the likes of Mbappe, Haaland and Ben Godfrey
>
> — pes (@PESBlAN) [February 18, 2021](https://twitter.com/PESBlAN/status/1362196983105138697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/DublinoToffee/status/1362139654674341890

> People say Kyle Walker is rapid. \
> \
> Guarantee Ben Godfrey would beat him in every foot they have against each other tonight!
>
> — Joe Williams (@Joewillo180) [February 17, 2021](https://twitter.com/Joewillo180/status/1362135178655789056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)