Ademola Lookman and Bernard scored their first Everton goals of the season to ease the pressure a little on manager Marco Silva after a disappointing holiday period.
Both players struck inside the opening 15 minutes to help see off gallant League Two leaders Lincoln who reduced the deficit through Michael Bostwick to delight their five thousand travelling fans.
Lincoln famously reached the FA Cup quarter-finals two years ago under the Cowley brothers so Silva took few risks with his line-up after a worrying run of one with in eight matches.
The Portuguese manager made only five changes with Leighton Baines back for the first time since October to give Lucas Digne a rest. But it was the inclusion of 21-year-old Lookman in only his third start of the season that proved critical.
Lookman, who was loaned to RB Leipzig last season, made his intentions clear in the opening minute with a fierce strike that fizzed narrowly over the bar.
It only delayed the inevitable. When Baines pinged in a perfect cross from the left after 12 minutes, Lookman rose to head over Josh Vickers and by the time Bostwick cleared with his arm, the ball was already over the line.
The Everton winger celebrated in subdued fashion, initially checking to see the referee had awarded the goal.
A quick second goal for the home side two minutes later should have settled any lasting nerves. Gylfi Sigurdsson’s pass into Daniel Calvert-
Lewin’s feet was cleverly turned into the path of Bernard who produced a lovely dinked finish to give Everton clear daylight.
Calvert-Lewin was denied by a fine save from Vickers and Lookman also fired close as Silva’s men turned the screw against opposition 58 places below them in the league pyramid.
But the mood of the game turned after 28 minutes when Lincoln hit back from a set piece.
Michael O’Connor’s free-kick was headed goalwards by Jason Shackell and though Jordan Pickford blocked with his knee, Bostwick rammed home the rebound.
The setback rattled Everton who only just got to half-time in front. Lincoln put the Premier League side under pressure from a number of corners which tested Silva’s vulnerable zonal marking system to the limit.
Silva introduced Cenk Tosun and Andre Gomes for Calvert-Lewin at half-time to change the flow of the match.
Sigurdsson then had an arrowed shot clawed away by Vickers that had Lincon fans chanting “England’s number one”.
The active Icelander then had a shot blocked at the last moment by Bostwick.
Lincoln were roared on whenever the crossed the halfway line though with 24 per cent possession it didn’t happen too often.
Imps striker John Akinde handled when well-positioned to shoot on the edge of the box and was replaced soon after.
The roars got loudest whenever they had a set piece and substitute Richarlison did well to head clear as Shackell’s header from a corner had threatened to drift inside the near post.
At the other end, substitute Richarlison – clutching a paper towel to stem bleeding from a facial wound – went close to making it 3-1.
Lincoln fans shouted in unison for an injury-time penalty when Yery Mina tackled Shay McCartan but there were no appeals from the players.
The narrow margin of victory won’t convince the Silva-doubters. But if he can deliver a first trophy to Goodison Park since 1995, they’ll chair him around the city.
