Ben Godfrey reaffirmed his motivation to keep “driving on” his teammates while helping Everton pick up positive results in every opportunity that comes his way.

The defender was recalled to Everton’s starting XI for the first time since the 2-0 victory at Burnley in December on Tuesday night when the Blues battled to secure an important point in the 0-0 draw at Fulham. 

Godfrey's reintroduction to the team at right-back was part of four changes from the side that started against Luton Town in the FA Cup on Saturday, as Sean Dyche rejigged his pack to minimise the impact of losing midfielder Amadou Onana to a minor knee injury. 

Despite not featuring in Everton’s past eight matches, Godfrey produced an imposing and robust display at Craven Cottage, finishing the game having made the joint-most tackles (four) and second-most defensive clearances (seven) of any Everton player. 

He produced a goal-saving challenge in the first half to divert the ball away from Willian as the Brazilian was ready to apply a finish.

The defender even nearly nicked all three points for the Blues in second-half stoppage time when his late strike caused a goalline scramble that Fulham just about managed to survive.  

Godfrey has earned praise from boss Dyche for his attitude throughout the campaign, despite not getting as much game-time as he would like. And after his impressive outing in south west London, Godfrey vowed to keep giving everything to help Everton move in the right direction.

“It’s my job to compete on the weekend so it 's always tough when you don’t get the opportunity to be involved in Premier League games,” admitted Godfrey to evertontv. 

“But that’s football sometimes. It’s important for me that I just keep working hard whether I am playing or not, and keep driving the boys on. At the end of the day, I am part of the team and not everyone can play - I know that. 

“But when my opportunity comes to get out on the pitch, it’s important that I take it and help the boys as much as possible.” 

Tuesday’s result means Everton have made a solid start to 2024, losing just one of their five matches and keeping clean sheets in four of those contests. 

As a defender, Godfrey believes such resolute defensive displays have been pleasing for the group, and is confident goals will start to flow at the other end providing Everton keep creating the chances they have been in recent weeks. 

“I don’t want to say we came away disappointed, but there were opportunities in which we could have come away with all three points,” he explained. “As they did, Jordan made some good saves, but it’s a positive thing that we got the clean sheet and are maybe looking at it thinking on another night we could have scored a couple of goals.

“In another game, I am sure our attacking lads put those away, and I am sure that will come in future games.”