Everton’s Godfrey suffers horror injury following collision with Chelsea’s Havertz but play should have already stopped

EVERTON defender Ben Godfrey suffered an unnecessary injury in Saturday's evening match against Chelsea at Goodison Park.

The 24-year-old centre-back was stretched off in agony after launching into a tackle on German forward Kai Havertz.

However, the incident should never have happened - with the ball clearly going out of play BEFORE Godfrey's lunge.

The ball was heading out of touch when Jordan Pickford did his best to stop the corner.

But, despite the England shotstopper's best efforts, the ball clearly went over the line.

It was missed by officials who failed to make a decision in time.

Godfrey then tried to make a last-ditch tackle on Havertz as Pickford's clearance ran loose, and suffered the nasty injury.

A lengthy stoppage saw a medical team take the defender off the pitch with his leg strapped up.

He was surrounded by medics for several minutes, and was seen breathing from a gas cylinder as he was carried off the pitch on a stretcher.

The Toffees are suffering something of an injury crisis with a number of first team stars out, or carrying knocks.

Talisman Dominic Calvert-Lewin is out for six weeks, while first team stars Tom Davies and Andre Gomes are also carrying knocks.

Colombian hardman Yerry Mina, who was a doubt, did start against Chelsea though.

However, it looks like he will be without his defensive partner Godfrey for some time.