Stuart Pearce has torn into Ben Godfrey as the Everton star endured a ‘disaster’ away to Manchester United. His defensive efforts at Old Trafford were ‘awful’ on Saturday.
Everton travelled to Manchester United in the Premier League striving to move away from the relegation zone. The Toffees had only won one of their last six fixtures but allowed the Red Devils to create a raft of early chances. But Jordan Pickford often came to their rescue.
Antony came close to breaking the deadlock right before the half-hour mark, too, only for Godfrey to produce a superb last-ditch tackle. The 25-year-old swept in from his makeshift left-back role to stop the Brazilian from shooting when released through by David de Gea.
Stuart Pearce reacts in dismay at Ben Godfrey’s display at Manchester United
But Godfrey giving Antony the space to attack in the first place annoyed Pearce as Everton rested on their laurels at Manchester United. So much so that the former England left-back even urged Sean Dyche to take the natural centre-half off after he watched De Gea’s pass.
“I’m just astounded,” Pearce said on talkSPORT (08/04, 13:01). “Godfrey is five yards in his half, he’s looking at the flight of the ball thinking, ‘I’ve got it, I’ve got it, I’ve got it, ohh it’s gone behind me!’
“It’s awful defending. If I was Dyche, I would take Godfrey off the pitch. I think he’s having a disaster. Even at this stage of the game, I’d get him off the pitch because he’s going to cost you a goal.”
Ben Godfrey has found a home at left-back under Sean Dyche of late
Godfrey has found a home at left-back under Dyche of late but Vitalii Mykolenko came on for Everton at half-time against Manchester United. The £20m transfer from Norwich City in October 2020 has started Everton’s last five games in the role but likely also irritated Dyche.
Dyche initially left Godfrey as an unused substitute during his first four fixtures in charge at Goodison Park. But after playing the final 30 minutes of their trip to Arsenal on March 1 off the bench, Godfrey has started at left-back in each of the Merseyside outfit’s next fixtures.
Godfrey had even laid on an assist as Everton drew 1-1 against Tottenham Hotspur before their trip to Manchester United. It was also the two-time England international’s first goal involvement in any competition this season through 11 appearances totalling 781 minutes.
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