Jordan Pickford – 6
Made a great reflex save before Lincoln’s goal but didn’t have all too much to do apart from that. Distribution was reliable, and we saw that beautiful side volley work well on several occasions.
Jonjoe Kenny – 7
Can’t fault the lad for effort for the full 90 minutes, making some strong challenges in fighting for every ball. Crossing could have been better, but he’s just finding some form.
Yerry Mina – 5
Not as solid as we’d expect today, gave away a couple of free-kicks in dangerous areas. It was his man who scored the goal for Lincoln, but it was fortunately not a bad opposition to have an off-day against.
Kurt Zouma – 6
Zouma was solid in an interesting aerial battle with Lincoln forward John Akinde throughout the match, and was solid enough on the ground too, making a couple of good interceptions.
Leighton Baines – 8
Rolled back the years on several occasions, and looked buzzing to be back. Baines put it on a plate several times throughout the match, one being his assist for Lookman’s header.
Tom Davies – 5
Linked up play well but overran in pressing on several occasions and didn’t provide the stability in midfield that we’ve come to rely on from Andre Gomes. Subbed off for the Portuguese at half-time.
Idrissa Gueye – 5
He really didn’t do much. An off-day for the usually tenacious midfielder, epitomised by a misplaced pass during a counter-attack near the end of the game in a chance to kill the game off.
Bernard – 8
A very good showing from the Brazilian, always looking to dance around Lincoln’s back line and provide some much-needed impetus going forward. Took his goal very well with a lovely dinked finish.
Gylfi Sigurdsson – 5
Another game which passed the Icelandic midfielder by. He can’t let this happen to often, as he’s needed to be the primary creative outlet in Silva’s side. Anonymous for large periods, and subbed off in the second-half.
Ademola Lookman – 7
Very positive in the first half, and enjoyed the space he was given going forward by Lincoln by creating several chances for both himself and his teammates, as well as finishing one off. Faded in the second half, however.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 4
Anonymous again after a similar performance last time out, also brought off at half-time. Possesses all the attributes to be a top young striker, but just doesn’t seem to be able to do it at the moment.
SUBS:
Andre Gomes – 7 (Davies, 45)
Provided that much needed stability despite needing a rest himself today, but was reliable when called upon and managed to get a couple of decent shots away himself in trying to kill off the opponents.
Cenk Tosun – 3 (Calvert-Lewin, 45)
Simply not good enough up front. Doesn’t get into the right positions or attack the ball in the air when it’s played in, which led to Baines switching to playing it along the floor for him. Even when the ball came straight to his feet four yards out, he passed it straight into the arms of the keeper.
Richarlison – 7 (Sigurdsson, 80)
A hearty cameo from the star man, who saved his side with a goal-line clearance as well as persevering to try and find a way through despite being whacked in the face and needing to play the rest of the game with a tissue in his mouth.
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