Everton defender Ben Godfrey given oxygen after sickening injury against Chelsea

Everton defender Ben Godfrey was given oxygen after suffering a horrific ankle injury in their Premier League game against Chelsea on Saturday evening.

Godfrey, 24, attempted to make a last-ditch tackle on Kai Havertz after Everton gave the ball away. The England international cleanly took the ball, but his right ankle got trapped underneath his body at the point of impact. Any Chelsea goal would've been disallowed as replays showed the ball had already gone out of play.

Godfrey appeared to be in agony as team-mate Jordan Pickford called for the stretcher. A lengthy delay followed as Godfrey received oxygen. It's believed he was taken to hospital after being stretchered off across the pitch to the car park exit, not the dressing room. Mason Holgate was brought on to replace the stricken defender.

It's unclear how bad Godfrey's injury is at this stage but it appears to be a nasty one. The York City academy graduate, who suffered rejection after being released by Middlesbrough as a kid, joined Everton from Norwich in October 2020 and has been a key part of the team since. He's made 55 Premier League appearances to date.

Godfrey was named Everton's Young Player of the Season in 2020-21 - his debut campaign for the Merseyside club - but was restricted to just 23 Premier League outings last term due to injury. It seems he's now set for another spell on the sidelines.

"There were periods of time when Bed Godfrey was the best defender for Everton last season, he's been a class act," Pat Nevin told BBC Radio 5 Live. "He can play at left-back, left centre-back, right centre-back, anywhere and he has often been the best player in the team so it's a huge moment for Everton and maybe this early part of the season."

Godfrey