Thierno Barry delivered a standout performance, netting three goals and providing the assist for the fourth as Everton comfortably advanced to the third round of the Carabao Cup with a 4-0 triumph over Preston at Deepdale. The French forward, who has already found the back of the net eight times in 41 appearances this season, added another three in a single match, putting him halfway to matching his season tally despite having played 38 fewer games than his teammates.
This victory marks a positive step for the Toffees, who have not progressed beyond the third round since the 2023/24 campaign, and sets up a clash with Wolves in the next stage. From the opening whistle, Everton imposed their dominance, controlling possession and creating a flurry of chances against a Preston side that has already suffered two defeats in the Sky Bet Championship this season.
While many of Preston's opportunities were of limited quality, Everton's fluid attacking play was evident. The decisive moment arrived on the tenth attack when Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall floated a ball into the left flank, where Vitalii Mykolenko collected it and neatly laid it off to Barry. The striker calmly slotted the pass home, opening the scoring and setting the tone for the rest of the match. The early goal sparked speculation that Everton might run riot, but the Toffees maintained a measured approach, ensuring they did not become complacent.
As the second half commenced, Preston appeared determined to fight back, but the atmosphere in the stadium hinted that the home side were already in control. Barry’s second strike, arriving just before the hour mark, further dampened any hopes of a comeback.
His composed finish for the second goal made the match feel almost decided, and his third, a simple tap‑in to complete the hat‑trick, effectively sealed Everton’s passage to the next round with twenty minutes still remaining on the clock. The Welsh forward Brennan Johnson, who recently transferred from Crystal Palace, also contributed to the emphatic scoreline. Johnson, who had not scored since November 2025, found the net to make it 4-0, adding a personal milestone to the team’s collective success. His goal demonstrated his growing confidence and hinted at the potential impact he could have for Everton as the season progresses.
Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom expressed his frustration in a post‑match interview on Sky Sports Football. He lamented that his side had been on the verge of making substitutions when Barry’s second goal arrived, describing the moment as a turning point that altered the game’s dynamics.
Heckingbottom highlighted the difficulty of maintaining clean sheets against higher‑quality opposition and acknowledged the lack of attacking options on the bench, noting that the team’s limited midfield and wing‑back resources hampered their ability to relieve pressure on the defense. Everton’s manager David Moyes offered his perspective on the performance, describing the result as more comfortable than anticipated. He praised his team’s overall play, noting that while there were moments of brilliance, there was still room for improvement, particularly in finishing chances during the first half. Moyes was particularly pleased with the four‑goal haul, emphasizing the importance of converting opportunities and maintaining composure under pressure.
Speaking about Barry’s development, Moyes recalled a conversation from the end of the previous season, where he urged the striker to improve significantly. He highlighted the challenges faced by young centre‑forwards adapting to the Premier League’s demands and commended Barry’s progress, attitude, and the work of the coaching staff in nurturing his growth. Regarding Johnson, Moyes noted the need to rediscover the form he displayed while at Tottenham, where he was a prolific scorer. He praised Johnson’s assist and finishing in the cup match, suggesting that the performance was a glimpse of his true potential.
Moyes cautioned against rushing his integration into the first team but expressed optimism about his future contributions. The comprehensive victory not only boosts Everton’s confidence heading into the next round against Wolves but also showcases the depth of talent within the squad. Barry’s hat‑trick underlines his emerging status as a reliable goal‑scorer, while Johnson’s return to scoring form offers an additional attacking option for Moyes to consider.
As the Carabao Cup progresses, Everton will look to build on this performance, aiming to advance further and perhaps break their recent third‑round ceiling. Overall, the match highlighted Everton’s ability to dominate possession, create high‑quality chances, and finish clinically. The combination of experienced leadership from Moyes and the youthful exuberance of players like Barry and Johnson creates a balanced dynamic that could serve the club well in both cup and league competitions.
The Toffees now set their sights on the upcoming clash with Wolves, hoping to continue their momentum and demonstrate that they can compete with top‑flight opposition in knockout football.