Everton managed to come from behind to put themselves into the hat for the next round of the Carabao Cup after beating Lincoln City 4-2 away at Sincil Bank Stadium last night, with goals coming from Lucas Digne, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Richarlison and a debut goal for summer signing Alex Iwobi.
Everton made five changes to the defeat away at Aston Villa on Friday night bringing in Moise Kean, Alex Iwobi, Djibril Sidibe, and Fabian Delph for their full debuts along with Mason Holgate replacing Yerry Mina in defence.
Everton started terribly and fell behind inside 25 seconds. Lincoln won a throw-in down Everton’s right side and after John Akinde flicked the ball on, Jack Payne raced past debutant Fabian Delph and Michael Keane before picking out the onrushing Harry Anderson, with the 22-year old then steering the ball into the net and sending the home fans into wild celebrations.
Everton controlled the game from then onwards, trying to create openings, and Iwobi came closest just before the 20-minute mark. Fabian Delph who was fantastic in the middle of the pitch picked out Digne who was ever-present in the Lincoln City half, and the Frenchman played the ball to Iwobi on the edge of the box, beating his man before unleashing a venomous strike goal bound but Grant Smith was equal to the Nigerians effort and tipped it over the bar.
Michael Keane had an effort dealt with on the line in the 21st minute before Lucas Digne produced a moment of magic from 30 yards.
After Gylfi Sigurdsson was brought down by Bruno Andrade, the Icelandic playmaker looked favourite for the free kick but after consulting with Digne the Frenchman curled the ball expertly over the Lincoln wall into the top corner, leaving keeper Smith with no chance.
Everton’s new striker Moise Kean almost gave the Toffees the lead minutes later. Receiving the ball out on the right-wing, the young Italian striker beat central defender Jason Shackell with a lovely bit of skill before hitting the outside of the post.
Everton continued to press for the lead and eventually did that in the second half from the penalty spot. Morgan Schneiderlin was fouled in the area by Michael O’Connor and up stepped Gylfi Sigurdsson who sent the keeper the wrong way.
With Everton in control of the game, they seemed to have a lapse in concentration and were subsequently punished in superb fashion. Aaron Lewis jinked his way past Delph and tried to pick out Akinde in the area, and while Michael Keane managed to head the ball away, unfortunately for him, it fell straight onto Andrade’s right boot as his first-time volley almost took the net off.
Marco Silva made a double substitution, taking off Fabian Delph and Moise Kean for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Cenk Tosun, and it was the latter who was involved in Everton’ s third goal.
Gylfi Sigurdsson sent in a looping cross toward Tosun at the back post, his knockdown bounced kindly for Iwobi and he headed Everton into the lead with his first for the club.
Everton finally killed the game off with two minutes to go when Digne who was excellent all evening, beat Anderson and whipped the ball into the area, picking out Richarlison who headed the ball into the far corner – something Duncan Ferguson would have been proud of.
Everton now face Championship side Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in the next round.
