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Godfrey On Goodison Buzz And England Chances

Ben Godfrey will draw on his experience of fighting for prizes deep into campaigns when Everton go to Manchester City aiming to secure European qualification on Sunday.

Everton beat Wolverhampton Wanderers in front of 6,500 fans at Goodison Park on Thursday to take the fight to the season's final day.

Defender Godfrey set the tone for a spiky and industrious home performance when he slammed into a legal challenge on Wolves forward Adama Traore early in the match.

Goodison roared its approval and kept the volume up throughout, as Richarlison’s second-half header settled the contest.

Godfrey delivered an accomplished performance in front of the watching Gareth Southgate and confessed it would be a “dream” to make the cut when the England manager names his European Championship squad next Tuesday.

But the 23-year-old, who reached a League One play-off final with Shrewsbury Town and won promotion into the Premier League as a Norwich City player, is shelving international considerations while Everton's finishing position remains in the balance.


“My experiences from my young years in football have benefited me so much, I’ve been fortunate to always have something to play for [in seasons' closing weeks],” Godfrey told evertontv.

“It is so much more enjoyable when you are going into games and there is something on the line.

“We have missed opportunities at times but still have a chance.

“On our day, we can beat anyone.

“Manchester City are world-class… we will have a game plan and have to execute it to the best of our ability to give ourselves the best chance to take three points.

“I didn’t know he [Southgate] was here.

“It is always nice to put in a good performance and win when he is there.

“It is a dream to represent my country, any young English boy would say that.

“All I can do is keep learning and working hard and churning out consistent performances for Everton.

“If I am named in that squad. what a proud moment it will be.

“But I’ll just focus on the games for Everton and the rest will take care of itself.”

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WATCH VIDEO 03:17

DEPARTING MAIER & SEVECKE THANK BLUES

Defender duo Leonie Maier and Rikke Sevecke reflect on their final Everton match as the pair are set to depart the Club this summer.


Godfrey was in characteristically dynamic form against Wolves.

Switched from centre-half to right-back, he was busy going forwards and uncompromising defensively.

He won two aerial duels and completed five recoveries and four clearances. The first of Godfrey’s three successful tackles – only Allan (four) had more – was a cruncher on Spaniard Traore.

“I saw that he probably couldn’t see me coming,” said Godfrey.

 “I was travelling at speed and thought, ‘The ball is there to be won’.

“There was only one thing going to happen, wasn’t there, when I realised that?

“I enjoy winning tackles, hard but fair.

“Players sometimes take heavy touches and it’s there to be won.

“The whole team showed that desire to win 50/50s and win their battles.

“It is important, we know the fans enjoy it, and when it gets them on their feet, it gives us that extra boost because they make a noise.

“It’s the biggest crowd I’ve played in front of at Everton… it was an unbelievable feeling and I think it made a massive difference, especially later in the game, when we were grinding it out.

“That is why you play football, it gives you that extra yard and I am looking forward to having more fans in the stadium.”

Godfrey is part of a defensive unit that has recorded three clean sheets in four games.

Everton paid a heavy price for the lone goal conceded in that period, losing 1-0 to Sheffield United on Sunday.

That disappointment was a source of motivation against Wolves but, Godfrey insisted, the ultimate victory ambition never changes and it will be no different against City and their swarm of premium attackers.

“We put pressure on ourselves to win every game, that has been our mentality throughout the season,” added Godfrey.

“We have come up short at times and it hurts.

“Picking up three points has put us in a position to, hopefully, climb the table this weekend.

“They have runners all over the place and ability across the pitch.

“It will be an extremely tough game but one we are looking forward to.”