Lucas Digne scored one and set up another as Premier League Everton narrowly beat Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup second round.
You have to feel for Lincoln City.
They could hardly have done more in Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup clash against Everton at Sincil Bank, attacking their Premier League opposition with pace, aggression and furious intensity while opening the scoring inside just 20 seconds.
But, with one swipe of his magical left-boot, Lucas Digne came to Everton’s rescue and Lincoln’s lead was wiped out.
A full-back who has represented Barcelona, Roma and PSG, not to mention the French national team, provided a moment of genuine quality to fire a glorious free-kick into the top corner from all of 25 yards.
This individual moment of stardust drew the Toffees level late in the first half and set them on their way to an eventual 4-2 win.
“It was a world-class strike [from Digne],” Lincoln manager Danny Cowley told Lincolnshire Live after the game. “When that happens there isn’t much you can do about it so you’ve got to dust yourself down quickly and not get too down.
“You have to respect Everton – they’re a top Premier League team with some world-class players. Credit to them because I thought they played right at the top of their game.”
A Gylfi Sigurdsson penalty, plus late headers from Alex Iwobi and Richarlison – the former set up by another moment of sheer class from Digne – ensured Everton set up a third round clash away at Championship high-flyers Sheffield Wednesday at the end of September.
The Merseysiders have famously never lifted the League Cup in the competition’s 59-year history but, after putting out a full strength team against Lincoln, it seems that Marco Silva has glory in his sights this season.
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