Thierno Barry Nets Hat-Trick as Everton Overcomes Preston
Thierno Barry hit his first Everton hat-trick as David Moyes’ side ripped through Preston North End to book a Carabao Cup third-round tie at home to Wolves.
On a night that felt routine by the end, it was anything but for Barry and fellow summer signing Brennan Johnson, who both used the occasion to make their mark in royal blue.
Moyes goes strong – and Everton go straight for the throat
Back at a club where he once cut his teeth as manager, Moyes showed Preston little sentiment. He made only three changes from the Premier League win over Crystal Palace, signalling that this competition matters and that his new-look attack needed rhythm, not rest.
Everton responded by taking control from the first whistle. They pinned Preston back, moved the ball quickly, and forced the Championship side into defending their own box for long spells.
The breakthrough felt inevitable. It arrived on 25 minutes.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall split Preston open with a superb pass, Vitalii Mykolenko raced onto it and whipped the ball across goal, and Barry did the simplest part – a close-range tap-in to open his account for the night.
Preston’s flicker of hope
Paul Heckingbottom, still searching for his first league win of the season after two winless Championship outings, had rung the changes – seven in total from the defeat by Wolves. For a brief spell, it looked like the gamble might pay off.
Leo Leroy found space in the area and had a decent sight of goal. Hit the target and the tie could have changed complexion. He didn’t.
Tyler Dibling then clipped the post, a reminder that Everton’s dominance still carried an element of risk. The visitors were not completely out of it.
At the other end, Iliman Ndiaye was busy and inventive, carving out chances and stretching Preston’s back line. He produced a fine cross that begged to be finished, but Barry glanced his header just wide. The second goal was coming; it just refused to arrive.
Barry turns ruthless
After the interval, Everton tightened their grip. The tempo went up, the passing sharpened, and Preston’s resistance began to fray.
The pressure finally told just before the hour. Dewsbury-Hall unleashed a fierce strike from the edge of the box, Lee Nicholls could only parry, and Barry reacted first, darting onto the rebound and steering it into the net. A poacher’s finish, and his second of the night.
Preston tried to answer. Callum Lang forced Jordan Pickford into action with an ambitious overhead kick, a moment of improvisation that briefly stirred the away support. It was a reminder that the tie was not entirely dead.
Everton promptly killed it.
A slick move down the right ended with substitute Brennan Johnson, on from the bench and eager to impress, drilling in a low cross. Barry timed his run and swept the ball home on 70 minutes to complete his hat-trick and claim the match ball.
Johnson joins the party
Once Barry had done his damage, Johnson stepped into the spotlight.
The forward, signed from Crystal Palace in the summer and without a goal since November, finally snapped his drought. Barry turned provider this time, sliding a through ball into Johnson’s path. The finish was cool and low, tucked neatly into the net with 18 minutes still to play.
By then, Everton were cruising. Four goals, two forwards off the mark for the season, and a manager watching his attacking blueprint come to life.
Barry now sits on four goals for the campaign, adding this treble to his strike in the 2-0 win over Palace. The only blemish came late on when he appeared to pick up a knock before being withdrawn, a slight concern on an otherwise emphatic night.
Everton move on to Wolves in the third round with their new front line already firing. If Barry and Johnson keep this edge, how far can Moyes push them in this competition?
