Everton hold off spirited Lincoln challenge

Excited to see that front three line-up, hoping they form an understanding together. It could be our front three for years to come if it clicks.

I'd have gone with Davies and Walcott on top of them. shifting formation from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3.

Now, will this be Everton or "For Fucks Sake Everton" ?

Why does he persist with him?

Joke

Oh look 1-0 down after 15 seconds

Hopefully we can finish the job second half.

People really need to start watching individuals and the team on a game by game basis, rather than through preconceived goggles on how both will play.

Delph and Schneiderlin have been outstanding in the centre of midfield. Yes, it's only against League One Lincoln, but recently there was a lengthy thread about who is the playmaker in this Everton team.

Tonight, Schneiderlin is the very definition of a playmaker.

Both sitting deep and receiving the ball, or advancing forward with it, he is displaying a superb range of passing, switching play to either flank, or accurate ground passing through the middle.

Delph is extremely effective as the holding midfielder, but with good movement and rapid passing. The two together are getting the ball forward more rapidly and in Iwobi, Kean and Richarlison we have three players that are a defenders nightmare: all three with the ability to run directly (or beyond) defenders and with a shimmy go past them. The three together augur very well for the future.

Richarlison is still not fully tuned in, but you can't fault his effort. Sigurddson better than of late. Sidibe another not quite up to pace, but still, a lot - a LOT! - to enjoy in that half.

Yet another immaculate strike from Digne for the equaliser.

Keep this up and we will win this in a canter.

3-1 to EFC.

Give them some credit for the way we are playing and stop looking for the negatives.

As for 11 shots 5 on target, that says we hit the target less than 50% of the time, primarily because Lincoln have so many players behind the ball. We also had 80% of the possession and yet Lincoln had half the number of shots on only 20% possession so clearly more effective at using their possession to get into shooting positions.

On top of all this we make more mistakes and poor decisions. I had hoped we had learnt our lesson from the end of last season where we pressed! Moved the ball quickly from back to front but no, slow play is back in fashion at Everton.

Confidence boosting, despite the opposition - who did themselves proud.

I'm afraid I don't agree about Lincoln doing themselves proud. Two very good goals but they played like yard dogs otherwise.

I'm still smarting from the Villa game to be honest. :-(

Also, if we had 10 Lucas Dignes, I'd pick them all.

Lots of positives to take from that. The Delph-Schniederlin combo looked very, very balanced, getting the ball forward quicker and more accurately than we have done in the league to date. Gomes may find it difficult to get his place back at the weekend.

Lincoln took both their goals well, although the midfield player who put the ball in for their second that Keane struggled to head clear was allowed in too easily by both Iwobi and Delph. The finish was a scorcher. It goes in, or flies over and out of the stadium.

The second half from Everton wasn't as impressive as the first half for me, but still we managed the game well. Scheiderlin receiving and recycling the ball well on the right ahead of the penalty his run into the area won. The afters from the penalty was a bit silly and unnecessary. You don't want your keeper booked 70 yards from goal with the ball dead!

Really good cross from Siggy, then excellent header back from Tosun for Iwobi to finish well for our third. Digne superb work, yet again, on the left in the lead up to the fourth and a thumping headed finish from Richarlison. That will be good for him, but I do wish players would avoid yellow cards for removing their shirts.

And I stand by what I said in my first post in this thread. Too many posters on TW presume the worst (or best) of their detested (or favoured) players and as such are incapable of judging their performances on a game by game basis.

Just read this thread and scan the live forum for confirmation of this phenomena.

"Worrying that we don't seem to be able to score from open play."

Apart from the third and fourth goals that won us the game, of course.

Positives - FOUR goals (thank you God), Digne is just amazing, Iwobe looks excellent, Rich off the horse, and we won from a losing position going down 0-1 (!).

Negatives - Nah. We won. Positivity for me only tonight.

Those clip art Imps have one hell of a tidy squad. Fun game.

Can't help think but think our poor preseason games plays into the start of the season.

Villa, Fulham, name another nightmare.

We'd best be up for it. Seems just the type of game we think is in the bag before a ball is kicked.

A word on Schneiderlin. I'm probably his biggest critic, but he played well tonight. He occupied the space and was neat and tidy as usual, which is the minimum you expect from a defensive midfielder. He was more mobile though tonight, and he passed the ball with more tempo. He spread it out wide to Digne several times in particular, and won us a penalty at a key time. One swallow doesn't make a summer though. Let's see if he can keep up this tempo starting on Sunday against Wolves...

I hope he's still with us in two season's time. We need to match his ambition.

Can't see Bernard playing many games this season, Iwobi is much faster, more aggressive, and offers more of a goal threat.

Delph when fully fit, will be a great asset,he brings a calmness to the midfield, and can actually PASS the ball, very really gives it away.

Overall, a potential banana skin overcome.

Digne looked class, Schneiderlin looked decent, Delph did well but passing a little rusty, Iwobi looked lively and I feel will become a fan favourite. Kean was on the periphery of the game, but looked dangerous when given space to run. Richarlison was very off, but a great header and good never die attitude - hopefully a return to form, Siggy was generally poor, but in the last 10 minutes played a part in us taking control. Sibide looked rusty, poor positioning and often dispossessed, but first game in a long time. Holgate looks like he lacks confidence, and his positioning was poor. Pickford didn't stand a chance with either goal. Walcott continued to prove his awfulness in his short time on the pitch. Tosun did well on the goal, the only thing he did.

In general, we struggle, really struggle to make real chances in open play, this needs to be our focus. Kean, the central striker, struggled to receive the ball - only really getting it by dropping deep or moving wide. We controlled possession, but we were too slow, too predictable in the build up - and against PL teams, we will continue to struggle to score until we remedy this.

But credit to Lincoln, they battled, had spirit, believed, and gave us a good game. And their fans were great, and just shows how sad it is to see what has happened to Bury, and how we need to reform how the game is run and how finances are distributed (and regulated) to ensure the survival of the Football League.

Good result for me in a tricky tie. Good performances from a lot of players. Iwobi will be looking at a start now. I think Delph needs more fitness before he starts, so sub with Gomes coming back in on Sunday for me.

I also think Kean did not do enough to get the nod ahead of Calvert-Lewin who looked very good when he came on. Great little cross from him and he didn't give the ball away once.

Although he made a number of changes, I'm glad Silva didn't tinker too much with the selection or formation. Pickford had no chance with either goal. Distributed well. Bit daft to pick up a yellow card 70 yards from his own goal following the penalty, but at least the whole team showed passion and togetherness in defending Siggy, as they also did when we won the free kick from which Digne scored our first. Delph appears most influential in that 'nark' role.

Digne - simply superb. Sidibe possibly better going forward than defending and not quite up to speed. Keane and Holgate didn't have much to deal with in truth. I liked how Holgate, having been brutally shoved off the ball by their big fellah early doors, held his own and gave some back for the remainder of the game.

Delph and Schneiderlin were superb at the heart of our midfield. Siggy much improved. That front three of Iwobi-Kean-Richarlison will trouble any defence if on song and given the service. All three can run at pace and go beyond their defender on either side. They can receive the ball if marked tightly and turn defenders. If defenders try and play a high line, a good through ball will see all three run in behind defenders. The opposition are going to be poised many more questions if we can get it right more often between our midfield and attack.

This is much more like how we finished last season and how Silva wants us to play.

Sigurdsson earned his stripes despite being tipped for bench all week, Calvert-Lewin looks better employed as a midfield water carrier, worked his bollox off when he came on.

We won so the criticism can wait for another day, and there was a few to have a go at.

Really good to see Lincoln players giving our lads a hard time and even better seeing our lads show some emotion, fight and togetherness. God knows we lack that side of the game.

Silva has to get a better balance between defence and attack. We were exposed a few times tonight.

Digne was brilliant. Mina needs to come back in. Great to see us going 4-4-2 finally.

Coleman is safe as houses at right-back as Sidibe has got a lot of catching up to do before challenging him for the spot.

Glad Tosun got on as in a 4-4-2 set up he would be ideal.

Thought Delph was good considering he had just come back from injury and very little time with new team-mates.

Too many are too quick to condemn and presume the stuttering start in the league will be the norm (or worse) for the season.

I look at tonight's performance and think, given more time to gel, just how good we can be. And that includes playing any number of much-maligned players, or new players already dismissed before they've kicked a ball in anger for us.

More to come and enjoy from this season for me.

‘Sid had a good game'

By ‘Sid' I presume you mean Sidibe? He was poor both in terms of his touch and his positioning. Forgivable as ring rust but one who doesn't look ready for Premier League duty yet. Richarlison did him absolutely no favours by not bothering to cover him on their equaliser.

Sigurdsson was good throughout. He makes the right decisions and shows the right attitude. Anyone calling for him to be removed at any point needs their head looking at because he's our best and most consistent player - I'm spite of a below par start - beyond Digne, now Gana is gone.

Digne was obviously superb but he had plenty of space and has a wand for a left peg. Baines would have had a good game tonight I suspect but that's to take nothing from the Frenchman.

Iwobi good. Especially enjoyed some of his passing which showed intuition for the game and the runs of his teammates. The fact he can travel past his man OR pick a pass makes him unique in our squad.

Moise Kean was average with a couple of good moments. He wasn't used as an out-ball so I can't critique his play as a target man but I appreciated that he tried to take on his man to develop a shooting position when 1 on 1 near the box rather than lay it off as Calvert-Lewin or Tosun would have to in similar positions.

That said, Calvert-Lewin looked more like a lone centre forward for the few neat touches he had with his back to the byline than Kean did and Tosun looked more of a goal threat of the three in terms of his scheming and desire to get on the end of something.

The manager will need to understand the identities of his three strikers and use them accordingly as the situation necessitates. I'm yet to be convinced we have one who is of the necessary standard to oust the other two from contention and Tosun should be brought in from the cold.

Mason Holgate had a confident match however his youthful confidence concerns me he has a misplaced pass in him. I would like to see a seasoned pro or two in, in January so he can get his mistakes out of his system in someone else's colours for the rest of this year.

Lastly, Fabian Delph was a very welcome addition, for me, in the midfield. His positioning next to Schneiderlin was superb and he has a bit of everything to his game. We need his knowhow as soon as possible to add some assurance while we find our feet in the league. I suspect he might prove to be our most astute signing this summer.

Good win all things considered. So many times I've seen Everton capitulate after going behind. It could have been an evening of torture as Lincoln used every trick in the book to run the clock down.

This was far from all cylinders firing but will do wonders for the morale and hopefully we can build on it.

Iwobi had a decent game and first impressions will offer more attacking threat than Bernard in the future.

Delph a good player.

Sidibe half decent going forward dodgy as defending.

Moise Kean looked a threat when running towards goal but hold-up play was very poor. He's nowhere near ready to lead the line in the big boys league. Calvert-Lewin will start on Sunday.

Richarlison stunk the pitch out most of the game, looks to be suffering by playing on the right side of the pitch.

Silva must practice the instinctive movements up top to get past stubborn defences even against a lower league team we still struggled to create chances and gave them opportunities on the break!

Let's not forget his pedigree though. 18 caps for France. 1 World Cup. 3 seasons at Monaco, collecting a league winner's medal and a league runners-up medal. First-choice right-back for all three seasons. The lad is quality for sure. He just needs time to adapt. And if not, well he's only on loan.

Meantime, Jonjoe Kenny has played every minute of Schalke's three games so far.

"Sack Silva" were many comments... OMG! What are these people on? The last thing we need now is another manager and everything that entails!

Also, one supporter stated that Marcel Brands has not brought in any decent players??? Well, I will give you one who has been outstanding since Day 1: Lucas Digne – possibly the best left-back in England and maybe Europe .

In my opinion, Brands's purchases have been very good considering where we are, eg, not in top 6, no Europe, trying to sort out the mess from Koeman and Sam, and very much in transition.

Don't get me wrong, I have been gutted how we have started the new season again but there are genuine reasons!

I think we are still trying to offload the deadwood that have stolen a living for a few years and also re-balance the squad from where it was.

My plea to fellow blues is: Be patient, and I feel that two more windows and we will be competing at the top table once more.

Brands is a superb football director and those who slag him off will realise that, if he either gets poached or walks as the saying goes "We did not realise what we had now it's gone". NSNO. Up the toffees – apologise for the longevity.

There are real signs again for us. Real signs. This was a game we'd have messed up on our accustomed pattern, following a result like the Villa one. We showed toughness tonight, and some style, hallelujah.

Stick with Silva and Brands.

Digne's class shines through, that's the sign of a proper player when their consistently good, not one- or two-game wonders.

Iwobi's going to be a good signing so is Delph, Kean will need more time to acclimatise which is perfectly understandable.

I'm a tad more optimistic after seeing the strength in depth we have with the new signings, it's just a pity Gbamin got injured.

Delph showed why Brands bought him and if he can get Morgan back to the player he was when he first joined us then that would be a massive bonus.

Iwobi will be a great player for us – clever, good feet, good engine and has pace.

A good night – well done, boys!

4 goals

Proved our character at 1-0 down and 2-2

Some team bonding when they tried to intimidate us

Some good team play and combinations

Iwobi looks very good and dangerous

Great goal from Iwobi

Good assist from Cenk maybe he DOES have a role to play?!

Siggy looked up for it and impacted the match

Richarlison is up and running in the goals. Also showed some great strength and tenacity when on the left in the 2nd half

Kean looked good in spurts and wants to get goals

Excellent. We need to be better defensively but offensively a big improvement

Sheffield Wednesday away, won't be easy but we've a good record there over the times they were in the top flight.

Good to see the players shooting tonight and let's hope this approach can be maintained across this season.

Delph was good today but it would be hard to fault Silva for going back to Gomes on Sunday just to see if he can recover from his howler vs Villa. Great to finally see some options and I genuinely hope this game gives every player the kick in the pants they needed to push on and score some goals for the rest of the season.

Sidibe grew into the game, Iwobi ran his socks off and would have had a couple if not for a top save and Kean will be firing on all cylinders when fully fit.

We've never had it easy against Lincoln, personally I was thoroughly entertained.

At this stage of the season we need to get fitness and ball control, we have had the added bonus of Siggy, Richalison and Iwobi all getting there first goal of the season, plus Kean, Holgate, Sidibe and Iwobi getting important minutes under the belt.

All in all a decent run out and a good watch, top that off with a stunning goal from Digne capped with a man of the match performance and it goes down as a good exercise.

Great memories for me in those games, attended a few as a child with my dad, but the main thing that sticks out in my memory was I had recently been bought a Walkman with a radio on for Christmas around that time.

When we was playing the game I was telling my dad (who was doing course work at the time) the score and he had a little go at me saying that when you lie about scores it always goes against you.

He was obviously delighted when he checked teletext to see I was telling the truth and allowed me to stay up to watch highlights on a school night no less as a little bonus.

It's not all doom and gloom being a blue, it's not all roses either, but I wouldn't change my blue memories for anything.

The same tactical approach which I'm afraid won't cut it in the Premier League. Too easy to predict and not enough players taking responsibility to break the pattern.

The 10 minutes after we scored and after they equalized we ran at them and looked far better.

Digne, consummate. Iwobi passes and moves, finds space and as such has time to let his ability shine. Others really need to buck their ideas up.

Very much the same issues the first 3 games. They shouldn't be passed over. Wolves are a step up on a Sunday, can we?

The positives are that our multi-millionaire team did the basics and avoided the humiliation handed to us by the likes of Shrewsbury Town, Wigan, Tranmere, and Gawd knows whoever else from the minnow brigade, since Kenwright took the helm.

In fairness all we could really do was win tonight, it's the nature of minnow v giant games after all, but I'll start to have belief in this squad just as soon as they feel able to play positively against Premier League opposition.

It can't come soon enough for me.

And Wednesday should be no problem with a professional performance, end of.

Delph and Schneiderlin were otherwise a credit throughout the game.

I think with a short preseason of these players playing together it will take a few more games before we start playing as a "team" but great for Iwobi and Richy to get on the scoresheet. That will give them both a boost and Siggy had his best game this season chasing everywhere and linking up play well.

Lucas Digne head and shoulders above anyone on the pitch.

Wolves will be a sterner test but let's see what we're made of.

In regards to Tosun, that's one of the few appearances recently when we have played a strong 11 and Tosun has played. I still say, with game time, Tosun is a better option than Walcott.

I remember being at the game at Hillsborough which was on a Saturday which makes me think it was the FA Cup. Kevin Ratcliffe damaged his hamstring but wouldn't go off. We won the third replay at their place 5-0, Razor got a “proper” hat-trick, left foot, right foot, header.

But this thread is a bit disappointing though. We are missing the lesser spotted Lambert, Bennings, Cuminsky, Astley et al. They are nocturnal creatures who are attracted by the smell of a defeat. Come and join the discussion!

Glad to see he is taking this completion serious, same again next round please.

I liked what Delph did when Siggy was hacked down. He was determined to get into Morrels ear and despite being pushed away he got there in the end and let him know what he thought.

When teammates know you've got their back, everyone plays for the cause as they don't want to let each other down. The 80s team had that in abundance and they didn't do too badly.

Firstly Great penalty take by Siggy with his almost unsaveable shot, what was he running in to their net to retrieve the ball for? That's the sort of thing you may expect, with only 2 minutes left on the clock, and you need another goal, to prevent the match going to penalties?

Secondly, although the above behaviour was a trifle bizarre, it was Lincoln's players who bundled into the goal area to create the fracas, and were clearly the aggressors, I didn't see any Everton player warrant a Yellow, but several Imps did.

Thirdly the fourth goal which was headed in brilliantly by Richie, was celebrated by him taking his shirt off, and running to the away fans, earning a certain booking. I know Richie has been below par and clearly has been running round with a 'face like a smacked Arse' since the Copa America return.

But why the stupidity of earning a certain Yellow Card? I could possibly understand if it had won us the Cup, but to pick up a Card which WILL contribute to a suspension further down the line, in a game that was won anyway, is beyond me.

Any news on Davies's omission?

Silva is right to praise the spirit, this *was* a good performance against a team who raised their game and put some rather tasty tackles in. I think the team for Wolves will look more like last night's than the one from Villa Park.

I will be passing on eating that humble pie on Schneiderlin too, I don't think he was 'superb' last night, he was okay but still played some 'hospital balls' and gave possession away.

My evidence for thinking he is shite are based upon watching the absolute crap he has served up for the vast majority of his Everton career.

What was a positive was seeing Iwobi, Moise Kean provide energy and pace to our attack. We will do well to hold on to the peerless Digne who is the best left-back in the Premier League.

Once his first goal goes in, Kean's confidence will be sky high and I can see many more coming from the lad.

Two goals from the unknown Mike Trebilcock, (for those who have never heard of him, that's pronounced 'Trebilcoo') as he states in his autobiography, it's a Cornish name. I think Mike became the first coloured player to score in a cup final, but I could be wrong.

@Derek. I thought one of his teammates pulled Richarlison's shirt over his head so he pulled it off to see where he was going... Still pointless but he was delighted to finally get his goal.. Agree that Sidibe needs to improve in defence but overall a very positive night with a lot of learning.

Work commitments left me with no other medium, I read all the critical bile and savage personal player attacks and expected mundane dross when I got around to watching the full highlights I had recorded when I got home.

Instead I watched a decent display winning a potential banana skin of a match even though we conceded two wonder goals, one after only 20 seconds!!

I agree with Silva – not our negative live forum – good attitude and desire displayed.

It was the mighty Lincoln we were playing by the way remember?!?

A definition of a playmaker is Bernard Silva, Kevin de Bruyne etc etc not the aforementioned !

Disappointed with a lot of the usual sideways passing and the seeming inability of any of our forward players to know when to shoot and when to cross - they always seem to choose to shoot when we have players in the box and cross when we don't odd.

I think if Delph is ok for the weekend we need to drop Schneids and play with just the one holding midfielder, at the moment we always have too much of our midfield either behind or beside the ball. Would be nice to have more options for a forward pass.

Kean did well yesterday, but he had the same issues as DCL in that when central he was isolated and had no real chances. He only really got chances when he was on the outside and had space to run (space not often offended in the PL). He showed he is instinctive, and we should all be excited.

However that does not mean 'DCL would never do that'. Same game last season, Everton vs Rotherham, DCL scored 2 goals, one was a worldie from the edge of the box into the top corner. The same fans praising Kean for his performance yesterday, said after DCL's performance last season 'it was only fuckin Rotherham'.

I still think DCL is a good player, who is playing a thankless role in our attacking set up.

We have 2 good young strikers competing with each other, both require tht the team (team as a whole, not singular players) start opening up defenses and start creating chances for them.

DCL was excellent when he came on yesterday, but I guess in that regard, 'it was only fuckin Lincoln'

We know we have the quality of player, and strength in depth (barring the current injury issues and lack of match fitness of new signings) to really compete for both cups and top league placings. Our main problem has been consistency, but the strength in depth we now have should in theory help us achieve more consistency and thereby a better season all round. But until the new signings are bedded in, we can only anticipate the usual ups and downs in performance.

And it's surely not a case of 'he had a good game, let's make him a starter for the next game instead of so-and-so'. The squad we now have enables Silva to change players around according to the opposition and progress of each game, so choosing starters and those on the bench will be on this basis.

Richarlison plays every game, every single game since his debut, with a scowl on his face. He looks like a naughty little boy who has just been told off. That's just his game face. I promise you he's like that every single game.

He also walks in a peculiar way so you never know if he's injured or not. So I've given up being concerned after he's rolled around. Just wait for the ball to come near him and he comes alive.

He copped a lot of stick on the live forum. Someone even called him a Championship player! Luckily, our real fans love him and show it. No one got their name sung more last night. Richarlison also talks the blues up back home. Remember he was telling neres to join us in June, just two months ago.

Please stop this ridiculous negativity and sensationalist reactions. The lad didn't have much time off and whilst fit he looks out of form. He was much better last night and that goal may spark an upturn in form.

Brian - 124 - when I first started going to matches back in 1970 to watch Portsmouth before moving to the Wirral with family, Trebilcock was one of the fans favourites. He had a fairly short but now legendary career with the Blues I think, and followed that up with 100 odd games and 30 odd goals for Pompey over 4 years. Seems like last week. Great times.

Okay it was only Lincoln but we were awful against Villa and Silva sent out a different team that had the blow of conceding in the first minute yet fought together against some intimidating tactics and gave us a decent display and a comfortable victory.

Building a football team is a progressive exercise. You can't wave a magic wand but gradually the team binds together and you get the end product. Moyes did this and was a striker short of a top team. Kendall pieced a pretty ramshackle bunch of players together who became great. Our squad now is starting to look the part but will need another season yet.

Iwobi, who was excellent in his first start and will provide that ball carrying threat we need. His passing is great and he will create and score a few goals this season.

Delph, who looked assured and passed and tackled well for most the game. He will be a good partner for or potential replacement.

Kean, who looked dynamic and dangerous at times and nearly scored a great goal. His link play was decent at times though his touch worsened as the match went on and he tired.

Negatives were:

Richarlison, the goal was obviously a bonus but till then he had looked uninspired. His passing and dribbling are not great for a winger so I think we need to get him nearer to goal which is where he does his best work.

Holgate, he's rusty of course on his first start but there were a few mistakes from him and he was bullied at times by their physical striker. Not sure how confident I'd be if Mina/Keane got injured and he was our CB for a sustained period.

There used to be an individual on here who posted ONLY posts about Lukaku, the contents of those posts being entirely negative. I haven't seen any posts from that individual at all since Lukaku left.

I am sure the goals for our leading scorers from last season can only help as well as game time for half a dozen of the players last night. The one thing you cant coach is confidence and after last night they will go into the game against Wolves in a far more confident mood, than they would had they lost last night. Usually when teams lose a couple of games you get people coming on forums like this proclaiming that the manager has lost the dressing room, well that certainly couldnt be said of this group. They all gave 100% and even when pegged back twice they still kept coming at Lincoln.

I know many will be quick to remind me that it was only Lincoln, but I could give you a very long list of lower league teams that have knocked us out of cups over the decades.

Delph did ok on his debut. When Schneiderlin came in for Gomes at the back end of last season he has deserved his place on merit and looks like the player we first bought.

Digne was outstanding as usual. Sidibe looks like he can give Coleman some much-needed competition for his place.

I thought their gimp right-back was lucky not to see a red for that tackle on Richarlison at the end of the game and no idea why Sigurdsson got booked for being on the receiving end of a kick up the arse after the pen.

I thought Keane was particularly poor at times, he was weak in the challenge for the first goal and his poor header which gained height rather than distance lead directly to the second.

Delighted with Iwobi's directness – we've been screaming out for a bit of that for far too long.

Holgate showed signs of rustiness, but he does something neither Keane nor Mina will do. He will step over the half-way line confident he can play there and is more than happy to stand 3 or 4 yards inside the opposition half. He backs himself in a foot race. That helps pen the opposition in.

I know people will argue the two big fellas play a safer game, but that safer game will not see us reach the next level and it has not stopped opponents carving them open to get one-on-one with Pickford in every game this season. I would definitely start Holgate before either one of them – unfortunately, Silva won't.

Seamus would have cause for concern if last night's game was anything to go by. The Frenchman was also rusty, very rusty at times, but that didn't stop him from producing some moments of genuine class. More to come from this fella...

If that shot from our young Italian had gone in, the football world and us would have been in cuckoo land for a few days.

I hope this Kean gets off the mark on Sunday at Goodison, for he will feel the love if it happens!

More of the same next round, please! Well done to Marco Silva and the lads.

Onwards... COYB

Some strange Lincoln fans waving their Liverpool shirt and singing about their six European cups, weird. But as they sang about us being in the 'Premiership', maybe they knew sod all about footy.

It was one thing I particularly noticed about his game last night.

Iwobi, who was excellent in his first start and will provide that ball-carrying threat we need. His passing is great and he will create and score a few goals this season.

Delph, who looked assured and passed and tackled well for most the game. He will be a good partner for or potential replacement.

Kean, who looked dynamic and dangerous at times and nearly scored a great goal. His link play was decent at times though his touch worsened as the match went on and he tired.

Negatives were:

Richarlison, the goal was obviously a bonus but till then he had looked uninspired. His passing and dribbling are not great for a winger so I think we need to get him nearer to goal which is where he does his best work.

Holgate, he's rusty of course on his first start but there were a few mistakes from him and he was bullied at times by their physical striker. Not sure how confident I'd be if Mina or Keane got injured and he was our CB for a sustained period.

Holgate, if fit, will naturally get chances in cup games or through injuries and suspensions. No need to push for his inclusion.

Cutting in onto his right foot is his strength.

Could we play Iwobi on the right?

Delph looked very assured, and the 70 mins will be a big help. I'd play Delph on Sunday and Gomes ahead of him with Schneiderlin on the bench.

What's happening with Davies? I can't understand why he wasn't in the squad, considering he made the bench Friday night, unless he picked up a knock??

I don't need to watch the game again. I've seen it twice. I pointed out that Keane was at fault for both goals, because he was, just as he was for Villa's first. I don't get your point. Are you saying he wasn't?

Keane and Mina don't trust each other in a foot race because Mina takes 2-3 strides to get up to full speed and Keane is slower than a week in a jail. Their idea of a high line is 5 yards inside their own half. Unless we have a corner, you won't see either one of them venture into the opposition half when they play as a pair.

My point is this:: despite playing safe, our defensive partnership has still been repeatedly prized open in every game. If we are going to continue to do that, I would rather play somebody who will venture forward and play a riskier game.

Peter @ 150

That's not a clamour. It's an opinion. It's the way I like to see the game played.

The goal Richarlison got will do him the world of good. Holgate did make mistakes early on, but started growing as the game went on. His long-range passing, was better than Keane or Mina could ever manage.

It was a good win. After a slowish start we virtually ran the game. 75% possession. Yet we still conceded two goals. Never mind we scored four.

Kean had hard luck on the one that hit the post. Great feet though. Quick shift of the ball and an instant snap shot. Bodes well. Better option than Calvert-Lewin. I hope to see him again against Wolves. Iwobi could have had two and nod to Cenk for his knock back.

Delph played well and Gomes wasn't really missed at all. I thought Sidibe played well after that early goal set back. He'll keep Coleman on his toes a lot more than Jonjo ever did.

Overall, a good showing with a lot more pros than cons.

As it was in the opening seconds and Lincoln were like rabid dogs out of the traps, it should have served as a lesson to Keane. Admittedly their equaliser was a 'wonder goal' and virtually unstoppable, but again Keane had a looping headed ball that led to an 'assist' for Andrade.

I am not a Michael Keane basher in any way shape or form and he seems to have improved from his early days, but hopefully he will have learnt from last night's mistakes.

Sometimes in these sort of one-off games against teams from a lower division, they will go 'hell for leather' as it is their chance to cause an upset and in most cases, not expected to win either, but fair play to Lincoln who were a bit 'thuggish' at times in providing an entertaining match.

The first when the flicked on header is falling into Keane's zone Delph is back-tracking with the Lincoln player who sped past both Everton players to get to the byline and pull a very good ball back.

It's best seen from the Lincoln goal head-on angle that Delph is effectively in between Keane, the ball and the Lincoln player and any move by Keane was as likely to take out his own player or give up a penalty. Given it was just 20 seconds into the game, I think the Lincoln player who provided the cross by determination and skill, plus the finish by the goalscorer who anticipated the ball and opened up his body well to ensure he shot at an angle Pickford was never going to defend, deserves greater merit than scapegoating an Everton player. Sometimes you just have to give credit to the opposition, rather than seek someone from your own team to blame.

Keane is not blameless for the second goal, but he is not the only one that needs singling out. Both Iwobi and Delph were too easily beaten by the Lincoln full back who put in a hopeful high hanging cross. Keane was aware the centre forward was behind him and had to get a head on it. Such was the nature of the cross, he was at full stretch and could not get better distance or angle on his headed clearance. Even then, in most situations, the volley of a steeply dropping ball that the Lincoln lad attempted would go flying over the bar or wide for a goal kick. Instead, he hit an absolute worldy.

No hypercritical admonishment of Keane from me for either.

Listening to match goers and looking through the threads from last night and Friday I would say he has gotten away with murder.

The guy has sleep walked his way through our opening games as forwards have gone straight though our defence to get a close up of the whites of Pickfords eyes.
The warning signs have not been heeded.

He received very little criticism even though He simply stood with a gormless look on his face as Wesley strode through to score last week. He had an insurance policy behind him when Wesley broke for the second and should have been hassling the fuck out of him. . he didnt he simply jogged back allowing him all the time in the world to turn. He`d already been bullied all night. Really poor..

He was the one who could see everything for last nights first goal and should have took charge. He bottled it . .and don't get me started on that header for the second. His header was all about height, no distance. What an invitation he offered and how readily it was accepted. Bang

For somebody who could and should have done better for every goal we have conceded this season he has been given a very easy ride.

He is being exposed because he no longer has a rottweiler snuffing out danger before it reaches him. He has a poodle. He is not a footballer, so Its time for him to man up and act like a real defender

But our big agreement is we want commentator Barry Davies back.

Blue and red agree!

Your Tony doesn't like Morgan Schneiderlin.

I too have been critical of both players in the past.

In his first season, a few games in, I described Keane going from a 7-8 out of 10 player every game to a 2-3-4 out of 10 player. I wrote it looks as if we have been sold a pup.

What we didn't know at the time was the very serious foot injury he was being asked to play with. Last season, with that healed, he had (IMO) an outstanding season. He was the mainstay at centre back and played well with whoever was selected alongside him. Recalled to the England squad, I see he made Southgate's squad again today with Pickford.

Is he slow pace wise? Yes. Is he vulnerable to being 'stood up' and run at to be passed either side? Yes. But I don't see the constant lack of awareness of what is happening around him as you claim. He is strong in the air. Good in recovery. Great at blocking. For me, he is the most capable of our centre backs bringing the ball out and playing crisp accurate passes to better placed team mates.

I will say something similar about Schneiderlin. I was never enamoured of him when he first joined us from United as many were. I didn't see the influential playmaker some claimed. I saw a player often caught in possession that led to us conceding goals. His second season was disgraceful.

But then last season under Silva, albeit with limited game time, when he did play he wasn't as hapless. He contributed. Against Villa, again for me, he was our best midfielder, but still castigated, whereas the truly woeful Gomes was excused. He was excellent again last night and he and Delph look a far more balanced combo in central midfield to anything else we have seen this season.

So to summarize Dave, I am not an apologist for either player. I too have heavily criticized both on TW. But as I've repeated across several posts in recent days, I judge players on a game-by-game basis. I don't form a preconceived notion of ANY player (be it in favour or against them) and stick to it regardless of how they play.

As is evident on TW, many a poster are not as discerning. Condemning a player before the game even kicks off. Ignoring anything good the condemned player does. Attributing to them failings that simply did not occur. Or the polar opposite, ignoring the failings of a favoured player and inflating their contribution and worth to the team.

That's a path I choose not to follow, ta very much.

Any defender jumping for a cross from that distance is committed by the micro-second as to what he can do to the incoming ball given his take-off. Keane did the max he could. Credit to the lad who lashed it in, he'll never strike a sweeter shot. As they said on telly, had it been Ronaldo a DVD would now be doing the rounds so the millions could make him even richer. It was that special a strike.

Anyway back to the game; I thought we did very well under very difficult circumstances. To go a goal behind and come back to lead 2-1 and the regain the lead after Lincoln equalised at a very critical stage if the game showed lots of bottle.

I thought Mason Holgate grew into the game and although Sidibe had a few blonde moments he was trying to play football, looked good in the air and never gave up. Michael Keane was caught napping for the first but otherwise very solid.

Is Fabian Delph a future captain? He provided some much needed energy in midfield and was always looking to play the through ball. Alex Iwobi also looked good and again provided a lot of energy, his goal will do him the world of good.

Moise Kean had 3 or 4 players marking him every time he received the ball. Such a pity he hit the post, what a great goal that would have been.

Digne was outstanding and a great goal. Schneiderlin, Siggy, Richarlison all looked good and were getting better as the game progressed. Pickford had no chance with either goal and otherwise did ok.

Overall I thought we played well albeit against lower league opponents,

By the way; did anyone else see the incident with Sidibe and the ballboy? And what was all the excitement immediately following our penalty all about?

The incident with Sigurdsson after the penalty was because all of a sudden the Lincoln players suddenly felt the urge to speed the game up, and they wanted to get the ball back to the centre spot to kick off. By the looks of it siggy had other ideas.

By the way, who was their weasel of a number 19? Right little shithouse he was.

I would be surprised if he sticks with Sidibe and Holgate, but apart from that I would stick with the starting other 9 with Coleman and Mina coming back.

Yes, you heard it right even Schneiderlin, who I did have to look at more than once to check if it was the same player. Mind you the skeptical side of me is saying while the Euro Window is still open he will play until he knows it's safe again to hide. :-)

I watched Wolves tonight against Torino and they are a decent outfit so we will have to be on our mettle, but have the tools to cope, but it won't be easy either. Don't know how much that game will have taken out of them, but it was fairly demanding, and Torino with better luck and finishing could have altered the result, or at least taken it to extra time.

Andy, you have point.

I don't know how 'dewy' it was on the night, but it was tipping it down by the end of the game. Their go-to throw-in man - as does Digne and other players - made a point of drying the ball as much as possible to improve their grip.

When Lincoln won a throw in, the ball boys threw it directly into the arms of the home player. When we won one, they returned it to the Everton player by rolling it on the ground.

Managers have confessed in the past that ball boys ARE instructed on their behaviour, depending if they are returning the ball to the home team or the away team.

Just a little detail that I noted. Did you pick up on that at the game, Rob, or anyone else that attended?

Oh! With some talk of Delph being a prospective captain, I missed the preamble of the game and didn't notice who was our captain on the night in the absence of Seamus. Who took the armband for us last night?

Siggy was captain last night. Interesting and comforting that he held his ground to take the penalty despite interest from Moise Kean. His spot kick record is not the best so another show of bottle from an Everton player.

Derek, yes will be tough against Wolves but I fully expect us to kick on and get some points on the board. I would agree with your suggested line up.

I have concerns for Davies, as it's obvious from last night, that he is not part of Silva's plans, unless his omission was due to injury. All in all things are looking up. Hopefully we can pick up 3 points on Sunday.

Can't wait to get them in the next cup competition.

Joking apart they have given Everton all they can handle in two cup games but in this game despite the first minute scare, Everton showed character and stayed in control whilst creating good chances.

Sidibe needs settle in as he was missing for both Lincoln goals and Holgate still doesn't impress me as a centre back.

Digne is just excellent !

Our own fans were in fine voice once they got over the shock of the first minute, and I'm not sure if I should condone the one lad who was led away from the corner by the stewards after our third goal, all the while screaming defiantly "Alex Iwobi!" But it did amuse.

My tuppence on the match is as follows;

Keane and Holgate barely troubled but still prone to the odd howler.

Sidibe clearly not used to the pace of our game but overcame possible jitters to end the 2nd half strongly.

Schneiderlin hardly the 'playmaker' Jay made him out to be but solid enough. I just think he is capable of so much more but he sticks to sideways and safe passing, with the odd ball sprayed wide. Generally reluctant to shoot or take risks. Despite that, his one and only foray into the box brought a penalty so good on him.

Delph misplaced a few passes early on courtesy of his lack of match fitness but overall bossed the game and was a very cool head throughout - he'll be a great asset.

Iwobi, Richarlison and Siggy didn't see enough of the ball in the 1st half as everything went through Digne and Sidibe, pretty much unmarked out wide all game. 2nd half a different story and absolutely made up for Iwobi to get the goal after a couple of great efforts earlier. He really is cut from the same cloth as his uncle, an exciting prospect.

Felt a bit frustrated for Kean who was quite isolated at times, had a heavy touch occasionally and also tried some one-touch passing that was on a different wavelength to his team. However, great movement and footwork opened up more than a few breaks for us, he will come good once he tunes into whatever system Silva is setting up.

Tosun and DCL as late subs did well, held the ball up and broke forward when needed and put Lincoln on the backfoot to see the game out. Iwobi's goal meant the world to Tosun and it is hard not to have a soft spot for the man.

Lastly, even after the players had left the fans with a few shirts and trudged back to the tunnel, the chant of 'Alex Iwobi' rang out. He turned back and applauded in thanks which was a nice note on which to leave the ground.

What were the local's jeers for each time Sidibe was on the ball, I couldn't recall anything that had happened during the game to make him into the panto villain?

Or is it a Lincoln thing?

Derek, if you see my post #172 I refer to the steward trying to get Sidibe into bother over it. Hopefully the ref and policeman told him he was being a knob (the steward that is).

By the way I said he'd keep you busy, well that has rebounded on me, he's kept me busy the last few minutes and I could have gone on and on.

I hope Everton win on Sunday,and Michael has a good game, I won't see it going on holiday, keep your eye on Michael for me Jay, I hope your'e not holding your head in your hands, that's one of my positions watching Michael, while cursing under my breath.

Nobody is right. Nobody is wrong. Nobody on TW or beyond is the sole possessor of the truth on all things Evertonian (although some like to give the impression they are).

You have selected events which reinforce your belief that Michael Keane is a liability at the heart of the Everton defence. I think otherwise. I haven't said he is infallible. I recalled how I've written on TW that we may have been sold a pup, based on how his form fell off a cliff in his first season with us. But for me - even coming back from a fractured skull, never mind recovering from the very serious foot injury which we only learned about a year on - last season he was right up there with Gana Gueye and Lucas Digne as one of our players of the season,

I hope there is mutual respect between the two of us. We agree on some things. Disagree on others. On this single issue - making Michael Keane primarily responsible for the loss of the two goals against Lincoln - I will continue to disagree with you.

Sorry, but to me it is an example of what I flagged up. Apportioning blame to a player you dislike or doubt and ignoring the failings of others.

You've watched and I presume played a lot of footy in your day, Dave. You know that conceding goals isn't necessarily the failing of one player. You know that at times you just have to doff your cap to the opposition rather than seek someone from your own team to blame. IMO the two Lincoln goals had both elements.

Yes, Michael Keane was a common denominator as being present when both goals were scored. So was Fabian Delph, but I don't see him being identified as being culpable in any way for the loss of the goals when it most certainly could be argued he was, as my previous post detailed.

If Michael Keane reverts to playing as he did in his first season, I will be concerned. If he continues in the same vein as he did in his second season, I will be very happy. And I will be honest enough to say so, as I was after the Villa game when I identified him as the poorest player on the night in our back four.

I understand fans have different opinions about plenty of different players, that has always and will be the case.

You have written how you see Michael Keane as a centre back and I have written how I see him, no problem there, plenty of fans will agree with both our opinions.

I always have time for your views on Everton and take note of your opinions on Brazilian footballers, especially the ones connected to signing for Everton, so keep us up to date with them as well your views on Everton, I suspect they are well read by many fans on ToffeeWeb.

You are right of course. Keane cannot continue to escape criticism. When we were stringing clean sheets together He was roundly applauded last season from all corners. - That doesnt happen to scapegoats.
This season is different. He has come out of the traps backward. He's been abject.

Its all very well trying to drag players like Delph in to apportion blame for a goal conceded in his first minute of serious football, but he wasn't the one facing play. He wasnt the one who bottled it. Nor was he the one who misjudged the flight of the ball so badly he could only head it straight up in the air for their second.

We have not played any of the better attacking teams yet, but we have conceded four and have been split wide open on five other occasions. There is one common denominator and it needs to be addressed before it's too late. All that praise Keane received last season will mean nothing if he continues the way he has started this

The fella next to me at Villa described keane as being "rag dolled". I hated hearing gobshite Carragher gleefully using to the same expression when I watch the recording.

He largely escaped criticism for that performance - again that does not happen to scapegoats. . but he has got to prove he can survive and thrive without Gana.
If he continues to defend the way he started, we cant hope to finish top half.

Keane is a popular player and I have no doubt he will receive all the praise due to him when he starts to perform well, However the credit he has in the bank with the supporters for last seasons performances will soon run dry if he doesn't get his act together.

The only thing I will say is this. Last season he was pretty dangerous from set pieces and we got some easy goals that way. This season he generally gets one good chance per game and they've rarely been on target or they're so limp that the goalie calmly collects them. Same thing happened vs Lincoln but at least he got them on target. I'm hoping these will be goals in a few weeks and that some of our players are still just getting up to game-speed again(?).