It was looking as if Bernard was going to win the first goal of the month accolade of the season by default.

Because, with one strike in their first three Premier League games, it’s been an underwhelming start to 2019-20 in an attacking sense, at least.

Thankfully, by netting four in Wednesday’s EFL Cup win at Lincoln City, the Blues gave the Brazilian competition both in quantity and quality.

Honourable Mentions

Alex Iwobi v Lincoln City - having been one of few Everton players to emerge from any credit in the 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa with his appearance from the bench, Iwobi followed this up with a hugely encouraging first start in royal blue at Sincil Bank.

The Nigerian was excellent on the left, and capped off a great showing to nod Everton 3-2 in front with ten minutes remaining.

But much credit must also go to Cenk Tosun, a man who has become seemingly surplus to requirements but did wonderfully well to meet Gylfi Sigurðsson’s looping cross and nod down perfectly for Iwobi to get his first goal since his summer move from Arsenal.

Richarlison v Lincoln City - having endured an arduous start to this season, Richarlison probably needed a goal more than any of his team-mates just to settle him down.

And though his overall performance at Lincoln was far from his best showing for the Blues, he at least got off the mark for the campaign with a superb header.

The Brazilian met a trademark gem of a cross from Lucas Digne to head home with an effort far too powerful for goalkeeper Grant Smith to have had any chance of stopping.

Runner-up: Bernard v Watford

The scorer of Everton’s only league goal so far this season, Bernard’s terrific early strike was enough to give the Blues the three points against the Hornets, and was certainly worthy of doing so.

Another magnificent pass from Digne, this time a long ball from deep, was played perfectly into the little man’s path, but he still had much to do to finish.

But after showing right-back Kiko Femenía one way, then another, he hit a fierce drive into the back of the Park End net, catching Ben Foster out at his near post.

Bernard often impressed last season, his debut year in the Premier League, but with just two goals and his first shot on target in the league not arriving until late March, his end product clearly needs improvement more than anything.

Hopefully, this fine finish is a sign of things to come from the diminutive Brazilian this term.

Winner: Lucas Digne v Lincoln City

Could this prove to be a turning point in Everton’s season? With the Toffees struggling to break through a dogged Lincoln side who had led since the first 20 seconds, up stepped Digne to deliver a moment of sheer class.

All five of Digne’s Everton goals have been quality strikes from outside of the penalty box, but this was surely his best yet, firing home a free-kick from at least 30 yards to draw the Blues level. Smith leapt to try and stop it, but never stood a chance.

It’s been said countless times before, but Digne truly has taken on the mantle from Leighton Baines at left-back with some gusto. At just £18 million from Barcelona last summer, he has proved an absolute bargain.

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