Thierno Barry was the star of the show as Everton cruised into the third round of the Carabao Cup, dispatching Preston North End 4-0 at Deepdale. The French forward not only found the back of the net three times, but also provided the assist for the fourth goal, showcasing a clinical finish that left the home side with little chance of a comeback. Barry’s impact this season has been remarkable.
In the 2025/26 campaign he has already netted eight goals in 41 appearances, a tally that matches half of his previous season’s output despite having played 38 fewer matches. After opening his league scoring account in a recent Premier League victory over Crystal Palace, the striker now sits on a pace that could see him eclipse that figure before the season’s end. Everton, who have not advanced beyond the third round of the competition since the 2023/24 season, will now face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the next stage. The Toffees will be hoping to build on the confidence generated by Barry’s performance and the overall dominance they displayed throughout the match.
From the first whistle, Everton imposed their style of play. Their possession was superior, and they created a steady stream of opportunities. Preston, who have already suffered two defeats in the Sky Bet Championship, struggled to produce quality chances of their own. Most of their attempts were low‑level and lacked the incisiveness needed to threaten the Everton defense.
The breakthrough came on the tenth Everton attack. Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall floated a pass into the left flank where Vitalii Mykolenko collected it and laid it off to Barry.
The French striker took one touch and slotted the ball home with a tidy finish, putting Everton firmly in control. The goal sparked a brief moment of optimism among the Preston supporters, who hoped the floodgates might open, but the visitors continued to dominate. Just before the hour‑mark, Barry struck again.
He received a well‑timed pass, turned sharply inside the box and calmly dispatched the ball past the goalkeeper. The second goal effectively dimmed any hopes of a Preston revival and set the stage for Barry’s hat‑trick. The final goal came from newly signed Welsh forward Brennan Johnson.
The player, who moved from Crystal Palace earlier in the month, added a touch of flair by providing an assist and then finishing the move himself. It was Johnson’s first goal since November 2025, and it completed the 4-0 scoreline with roughly 20 minutes still to play. Post‑match, Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom expressed his frustration on Sky Sports Football. He lamented that his side had been about to make a substitution when Everton scored their second goal, a moment he felt shifted the momentum dramatically.
Heckingbottom admitted that the quality of the opposition made it difficult to keep a clean sheet and highlighted the lack of attacking options on his bench, noting that most of the substitutes were defenders, midfielders, or young players rather than forwards who could relieve pressure on the back line. Everton’s manager David Moyes was more upbeat. He described the performance as more comfortable than he had anticipated and praised his team’s overall football.
Moyes acknowledged that the first half could have been sharper in terms of finishing, but he was delighted with the four‑goal haul and the confidence it should bring to the squad. Speaking about Barry, Moyes said: "I told him at the end of last season that he needed to improve dramatically. Centre‑forwards in their first Premier League season face a steep learning curve, but Thierno has shown a better attitude and is progressing well. Whoever is working with him is doing a good job." Regarding Johnson, Moyes added: "We’re trying to rediscover the form he displayed at Tottenham, where he was a regular scorer.
His assist and finish tonight were brilliant. He still needs to be managed carefully, but tonight was a good step forward for him." Barry’s hat‑trick not only secured Everton’s place in the next round but also underscored his growing importance to the team.
His ability to combine goal‑scoring with play‑making makes him a dual threat that opponents will need to plan for. As Everton prepare for the upcoming clash with Wolves, the confidence generated by this comprehensive victory could prove pivotal in a competition where knockout matches often hinge on moments of individual brilliance.
The Carabao Cup continues to provide a platform for emerging talents like Barry and Johnson to showcase their abilities on a national stage. For Everton supporters, the 4-0 win offers a hopeful glimpse of a side capable of competing on multiple fronts, while Preston will need to regroup and address their defensive frailties if they hope to bounce back in the Championship. Overall, the match was a clear demonstration of Everton’s attacking depth and tactical flexibility, with Barry’s three‑goal performance standing out as the highlight of an otherwise dominant display. The Toffees now look forward to a challenging encounter with Wolves, hoping to maintain the momentum generated at Deepdale and progress further in the tournament.