Ben Godfrey was stretchered off with a horrible looking leg injury in Everton's Premier League opener against Chelsea on Saturday afternoon.

The English defender was in the starting line-up for the game but was forced off in the early stages at Goodison Park.

Everton found themselves in real trouble when a way-ward back pass forced Jordan Pickford into action.

Pickford, in attempting to save his side from giving away a corner, gifted possession to Kai Havertz in a dangerous position.

Replays later showed that the ball had actually gone out of play but the referee, Kevin Friend, allowed play to continue.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Ben Godfrey of Everton is stretchered off the pitch after receiving medical treatment during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Chelsea FC at Goodison Park on August 06, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

With Havertz closing in on Everton's goal, Godfrey came charging back and produced a superb sliding challenge to dispossess the German and save his side.

However, Godfrey remained on the floor in agony with an apparent leg injury.

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Medical attention was almost immediately called to tend to the 24-year-old.

He was on the ground for just under 10 minutes before being put on to a stretcher. He was then put in an ambulance and taken to hospital.

Godfrey was given a round of applause from those in the stands as he was taken off the field. He was replaced by Mason Holgate.

We wish Godfrey all the best and a speedy recovery.

It was a cagey first-half in Merseyside but it was Chelsea who went into the lead with the advantage.

Chelsea were given a stoppage-time penalty when Ben Chilwell roared into the box and was felled by Abdoulaye Doucouré.

Yerry Mina did his best to put off Jorginho, even picking up a yellow card for his troubles, but it was to no avail as Jorginho sent Pickford the wrong way to break the deadlock.