‘He’s a very lucky boy’ - Social media reacts to Ben Godfrey’s ‘stamp’ on Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu

The apparent stamp from the defender went to VAR, but the youngster escaped punishment.
Everton’s Ben Godfrey. Picture: Justin Setterfield/Getty ImagesEverton’s Ben Godfrey. Picture: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Everton’s Ben Godfrey. Picture: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Jamie Carragher labelled Everton defender Ben Godfrey “a very lucky boy” after the full-back escaped punishment as he appeared to tread on the face of Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu during Monday night’s Premier League match.

The challenge was reviewed by VAR and match referee Mike Dean but the former Norwich City defender went unpunished, and fans on social media had mixed reviews to the challenge.

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Once again, VAR was at the centre of the controversy as after the review, no action was taken.

On Twitter, some people said it was a stonewall red card, whilst others claimed he couldn’t help it and declared the incident as purely accidental.

The incident occurred in the 28th minute, with the game still at 0-0.

Godfrey deflected the ball away, taking down Tomiyasu with his trailing leg, and Godfrey appeared to try and jump over the new Arsenal signing, but as he went back down, his foot seemed to navigate towards Tomiyasu’s face.

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Speaking on Sky Sports Monday Night Football, Gary Neville agreed with Carragher and said: “You’re talking to two of the masters of following through into the face and trying to make it look like it’s accidental. We think he definitely means that.

“He just knows he’s there, he’s followed through over the top. This slow motion replay is the one where the reaction after is where he realises what he’s done and he’s like ‘oh look, it’s an accident’.

“As a professional, it’s 100 per cent he means that.”

Everton came from 1-0 down to win the game 2-1, with Brazilian forward Richarlison cancelling out Martin Odegaard’s third goal of the season.

Demarai Gray then struck deep into injury time to end an eight match streak without a win and ease the pressure on under-fire manager Rafa Benitez.

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But, playing with 10-men at home, for an hour against an in-form Arsenal would surely have had a bearing on the outcome.

Here’s how social media reacted to the tackle from Godfrey.

Next up for Everton is a trip to Selhurst Park as they take on Crystal Palace on Sunday, December 12.