Be a pal to Ben, fired unexpectedly (8)

I believe the answer is:

befriend

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'be a pal to' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'ben fired unexpectedly' is the wordplay.
'unexpectedly' indicates anagramming the letters.
'ben'+'fired'='benfired'
'benfired' is an anagram of 'BEFRIEND'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for befriend that I've seen before include "Become close to (someone)" , "Provide support as a chum" , "Finer bed (anag.)" , "Help personally" , "Assist sympathetically" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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