Thierno Barry proved the decisive factor once again, netting three times and providing the assist for his fourth goal as Everton comfortably advanced to the third round of the Carabao Cup with a 4-0 victory over Preston North End at Deepdale. The French forward, who has already tallied eight goals in just 41 appearances this season, added another three to his record in a single match, meaning he is already halfway to matching his total from the previous campaign despite having featured in 38 fewer games. Everton, who have not progressed beyond the third round since the 2023/24 season, will now meet Wolverhampton Wanderers in the next stage of the competition.
The win also gave the Toffees a morale boost after a solid Premier League performance earlier in the week, where they secured a win against Crystal Palace. From the opening whistle, Everton imposed their rhythm and dominated possession. Their passing was crisp, their movement purposeful, and they generated a flurry of chances against a Preston side that, despite being a Championship team that has already lost two of its opening two fixtures, struggled to create anything of quality. The early pressure was relentless, but many of the opportunities were half‑chances that never threatened the Toffees' goalkeeper.
The breakthrough finally arrived on the 10th attempt. A floated pass from midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall found left‑back Vitalii Mykolenko, who calmly laid the ball off to Barry. The striker took a single touch and slotted the ball home with a tidy finish, sending the home crowd into a brief celebration.
The goal seemed to open the floodgates, but Everton kept their composure and did not allow a second‑half surge from Preston. The second half began with Preston appearing more determined, but the early strike had already shifted the momentum firmly in Everton's favour. Barry struck again just before the hour‑mark, doubling Everton's lead and making any potential comeback for the visitors increasingly unlikely. His second goal came from a well‑timed run into the box, where he met a low cross and turned it past the keeper with a simple, clinical finish.
The hat‑trick was completed shortly thereafter. After a quick exchange of passes on the left flank, Barry found himself in space at the edge of the penalty area. He took a measured touch and curled the ball into the far corner, sealing his personal tally and effectively confirming Everton's progression with twenty minutes still to play. With the game comfortably in hand, Everton introduced Welsh forward Brennan Johnson, who had joined the club from Crystal Palace earlier in the month.
Johnson made an immediate impact, scoring his first goal since November 2025 to round off the scoreline at 4-0. His finish was a well‑placed strike from just inside the box, showcasing the quality that the club hopes he will bring to the side on a regular basis. Post‑match, Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom expressed his frustration on Sky Sports Football, noting that the timing of Everton's second goal disrupted his plans for a substitution and that the subsequent goals were “disappointing”. He acknowledged the difficulty of keeping a clean sheet against top‑flight opposition and highlighted the lack of attacking options on his bench, which forced him to rely on defenders and young midfielders in a bid to protect his back line.
"We need attacking changes so we can keep the pressure on," Heckingbottom said, underscoring the tactical challenge his side faces. Everton boss David Moyes was pleased with the overall performance but admitted there were moments that could have been sharper.
He described the match as “a little more comfortable than I thought it might have been” and praised his side for scoring four goals while also emphasizing the need for better finishing in the first half. Moyes also reflected on Barry’s development, recalling a conversation at the end of the previous season where he urged the striker to improve his output.
"We want centre‑forwards to score goals. It’s not easy for anyone coming into the Premier League in their first season, especially centre‑forwards," Moyes explained. He praised the coaching staff for helping Barry adopt a better attitude and for the progress he has shown. Regarding Johnson, Moyes said the club is keen to rediscover the form the Welshman displayed during his time at Tottenham, where he was prolific.
He highlighted Johnson’s assist and goal in the match as signs that the player is beginning to find his rhythm again. "We don’t want to bring him on too quickly, but he’s done well tonight," Moyse added.
The victory not only secures Everton’s place in the next round of the Carabao Cup but also provides a platform for the manager to rotate his squad and give younger players valuable experience. With the upcoming clash against Wolves, Everton will look to maintain their attacking momentum while tightening up defensively, an area that Moyes believes still requires refinement.
In summary, Thierno Barry’s hat‑trick and overall contribution, combined with Brennan Johnson’s return to goal-scoring form, delivered a comprehensive win for Everton. The Toffees now turn their attention to the next challenge, hoping to build on this performance and push deeper into the cup competition.