Carabao Cup: Everton edge past Lincoln City in thriller
- Published
Alex Iwobi scored on his first start for Everton since his deadline-day move from Arsenal
Everton scored two late headers to beat Lincoln in a thrilling Carabao Cup second-round tie.
The League One hosts led within 20 seconds as Harry Anderson blasted home from Jack Payne's cross.
Lucas Digne equalised with a wonderful 30-yard free-kick and then Gylfi Sigurdsson scored a penalty.
Bruno Andrade levelled with a stunning volley, but Alex Iwobi and Richarlison scored to take Everton into a third-round tie at Sheffield Wednesday.
The Imps, who like the visitors made five changes, had the perfect start when they attacked straight from kick-off and Anderson fired past Jordan Pickford after good play on the left wing by Payne.
But the Toffees dominated possession, with Sigurdsson missing a couple of chances before Digne's phenomenal long-range free-kick into the top corner.
Toffees forward Moise Kean, making his first start in English football, was lively and hit the post after a fine jinking run into the box.
Sigurdsson looked as if he had decided the game when he sent goalkeeper Grant Smith the wrong way after Michael O'Connor fouled Morgan Schneiderlin.
But there was plenty more to come, with Andrade winning a sweet volley from Michael Keane's misplaced header.
Two headed goals were enough to deny the home side a penalty shootout as Iwobi scored his first goal for Everton from Cenk Tosun's knock-on, with Richarlison turning home Digne's left-wing cross.
Everton boss Marco Silva told Sky Sports: "It will be another tough match in this competition against Sheffield Wednesday next. A Championship club who have started well and we will think about them when we have to play them.
"The most important thing that I asked was that we were serious and to respect the fans and opponents. We did not start how we wanted, it was the worst way, but we showed personality to keep doing what we should do and how we want to play. I told the players to keep playing fast. We did that and in some moments we did very well.
"They scored again with a fantastic strike but we took risks, changed the formation and then scored the third and added the fourth. We deserved to go through."