Everton, as they seek to maintain their miraculous resurgence, made it four wins from as many league games last night as they brushed aside Burnley in emphatic fashion.
Sean Dyche could not possibly have enjoyed an easier afternoon upon returning to Turf Moor, with his side remaining as resolute and staunch as they have done all campaign.
The hosts had no answers for his steely setup, which earned yet another clean sheet to take Jordan Pickford to the top of the Premier League charts for that metric.
Having scored their two goals inside 25 minutes, the Toffees were then happy to sit back and maintain that lead knowing that the Clarets did not boast nearly enough spirit and belief to mount a comeback capable of overawing their system.
However, there was one key moment in which Everton were nearly undone, which could have proved crucial were it not for Ben Godfrey.
As the ball was played in behind James Tarkowski, the Burnley attacker would bundle his cross across goal, seemingly set for a tap in to half the deficit.
However, the 25-year-old would roll back the years, turning on the afterburners to rush back and somehow divert the ball behind for a corner in the 45th minute.
How good was Everton’s Ben Godfrey vs Burnley?
Aside from that monumental intervention, which preserved their two-goal lead at the break, Godfrey enjoyed an otherwise outstanding return to the side having failed to make a Premier League start all season beforehand.
As the smaller, more athletic foil to Michael Keane and Tarkowski’s aerial presence, his job was important to ensure mobility remained within this new setup. That was made easier by the stunning performance of the former, who not only shone defensively but scored the vital second too.
However, having managed three clearances, two interceptions and one tackle of his own, it is fair to say Godfrey managed his own tasks with ease too, with his intervention as good as a goal, via Sofascore.
The £75k-per-week stopper did remain somewhat uneasy on the ball at times, which is to be expected from someone so rusty, but was alert at the vital moment.
For someone once lauded for his versatility and brutish, enforcer-like play style, actually branded a ‘monster’ by journalist James Whaling back in 2021, it was refreshing to see him instead shine for a fine piece of proper defending.
Had Burnley scored, who knows how the second-half might have played out. Fortunately, it was not a reality that was explored, thanks to the former Norwich City man’s brilliance and immense commitment.
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