The ultimate compliment came ten minutes from time, when having failed to kill the game Silva had no option but to introduce Richarlison.
The Brazilian was immediately involved in his own penalty area, clearing Shackell’s goalbound header off the line. That was as close at Lincoln came to equalising, but they accepted generous applause from the home fans for their efforts.
Team details
Everton: Pickford, Kenny, Mina, Zouma, Baines, Davies, Gueye, Lookman, Sigurdsson, Bernard, Calvert-Lewin.
Subs: Jagielka, Andre Gomes, Tosun, McCarthy, Stekelenburg, Coleman, Richarlison.
Lincoln City: Vickers, Eardley, Bostwick, Shackell, Toffolo, Anderson, Frecklington, Pett, O’Connor, Andrade, Akinde.
Subs: Gordon, Wharton, Rhead, Chapman, McCartan, Mensah, Slocombe.
Referee: John Brooks (Leicestershire).
