Thierno Barry was the star of the show as Everton cruised into the third round of the Carabao Cup with a convincing 4-0 triumph over Preston North End at Deepdale. The French forward not only found the back of the net three times, but also supplied the assist for his fourth goal, showcasing a blend of clinical finishing and creative play that left the home side reeling.

Barry's season to date has been impressive: eight goals in 41 appearances across all competitions in the 2025/26 campaign. Remarkably, after scoring his first league goal in the Saturday Premier League victory over Crystal Palace, he has already reached half of that tally despite having featured in 38 fewer matches. This hat‑trick underscores his growing importance to the Toffees and hints at a prolific year ahead. Everton, who have not progressed beyond the third round of the cup since the 2023/24 season, will now face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the next stage.

The win not only restores confidence but also provides a platform for manager David Moyes to rotate his squad and experiment with tactics as the season unfolds. From the first whistle, Everton imposed their will on the game. Their possession was dominant, and they generated a steady stream of chances against a Preston side that has already dropped two points from two games in the Sky Bet Championship.

While many of Preston's opportunities were of low quality, Everton's attacks were sharp, purposeful, and increasingly threatening as the match progressed. The breakthrough came on the tenth Everton attack. Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall floated a ball into the left flank, where Vitalii Mykolenko collected it and neatly laid it off to Barry.

The striker timed his run perfectly and slotted the ball home with a tidy finish, sending the Everton fans into a roar. That goal seemed to open the floodgates, but the Toffees remained disciplined, not allowing Preston any foothold. Just before the hour‑mark, Barry struck again.

A swift move saw him receive a pass inside the box and fire a simple, low‑driven shot past the goalkeeper. The second goal effectively dampened any hopes of a Preston comeback and put Everton firmly in control of the tie. The third strike, which completed Barry's hat‑trick, arrived in the 70th minute.

A well‑orchestrated team move saw the ball find Barry again, and he calmly placed it into the net for his third of the night. With 20 minutes remaining, the result was all but sealed, and the atmosphere in Deepdale shifted from anticipation to resignation for the home supporters.

The final goal was added by Welsh forward Brennan Johnson, who had recently joined Everton from Crystal Palace. Johnson's finish marked his first goal since November 2025 and capped a memorable performance for the newcomer. His contribution highlighted the depth of Everton's attacking options and gave fans a glimpse of the potential impact he could have in future fixtures.

Post‑match, Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom expressed his frustration on Sky Sports Football. He lamented that the second goal came just as his substitutes were about to be introduced, saying, "It just changed the game. The goals after that were disappointing." He acknowledged the quality of the opposition and the difficulty of maintaining clean sheets against a side like Everton, noting the lack of attacking options on the bench as a limiting factor for his team.

Everton boss David Moyes was pleased with the overall performance but remained realistic. He told Sky Sports, "It ended up being a little bit more comfortable than I thought it might have been before the game, but it's a really good result for us.

I thought we played well at times and our football was quite good, but we need to finish things off a bit better in the first half than we did, but I'm really pleased we scored four goals." Moyes also praised Barry's development, recalling his conversation with the striker at the end of the previous season: "I told him he has to do a lot better than he did before. We want centre‑forwards to score goals.

He's come in with a much better attitude, and whoever's working with him is doing a good job." Moyes also spoke about Johnson, saying, "We want to find what he did at Tottenham when he was scoring all those goals. His assist tonight was brilliant and his finish as well.

People who've watched Brennan over the years will tell you that looks a bit more like him. We don't want to bring him on too quick, but he's done well tonight." Both players received commendation for their contributions, and their performances will likely influence selection decisions in upcoming league and cup matches. The victory also provides a morale boost for Everton as they juggle Premier League commitments and cup ambitions. A comfortable win in the Carabao Cup can serve as a catalyst for improved league form, offering a platform for squad rotation and giving younger players valuable minutes in a competitive environment.

Looking ahead, the Toffees will travel to Molineux to face Wolves, a fixture that promises to be a stern test of Everton's defensive solidity and attacking flair. The experience gained from a dominant display against Preston will be vital, especially as Moyes seeks to fine‑tune his side's balance between experience and emerging talent. In summary, Thierno Barry's hat‑trick and overall involvement were the defining features of Everton's 4-0 win over Preston.

The match showcased Everton's attacking depth, highlighted the potential of recent signings like Brennan Johnson, and set the stage for a compelling next round against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The result not only advances Everton in the Carabao Cup but also reinforces the belief that the squad, under Moyes' guidance, can compete on multiple fronts this season.