Thierno Barry proved to be the decisive factor as Everton cruised through to the third round of the Carabao Cup, dismantling Preston North End 4-0 at Deepdale. The French forward not only netted a hat‑trick but also supplied the assist for his third goal, showcasing a clinical edge that has already seen him tally eight strikes in just 41 appearances for the 2025/26 campaign. Remarkably, after finding the net in the Premier League victory over Crystal Palace earlier in the week, Barry is now halfway to matching his season’s goal total despite having played 38 fewer matches than his current tally suggests.
Everton, who have not advanced beyond the third round since the 2023/24 season, will now face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the next stage of the competition. The Toffees entered the match with a clear intention to dominate, and they did so from the opening whistle.
Their possession was superior, and they generated a flurry of chances against a Preston side that, despite being a recently promoted club in the Sky Bet Championship, struggled to create any meaningful threats. Most of Preston’s opportunities were low‑quality and failed to test the Everton defence. The breakthrough came on the tenth Everton attack. A floated pass from Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall found Vitalii Mykolenko on the left flank, who neatly laid the ball off to Barry.
The striker took a composed touch and slotted the ball home with a tidy finish, putting Everton ahead and setting the tone for the remainder of the half. The goal sparked a brief moment of optimism among the Preston supporters, who hoped the floodgates might open, but the home side kept the pressure relentless.
Just before the hour‑mark, Barry struck again, this time doubling Everton’s lead. The second goal came from a well‑timed run into the box and a simple, precise finish that left the Preston goalkeeper stranded. With a two‑goal cushion, the likelihood of a comeback dwindled rapidly. The third strike, which completed Barry’s hat‑trick, arrived in the 70th minute.
A swift counter‑attack saw Barry receive the ball inside the penalty area and fire a low, powerful shot into the net, effectively sealing Everton’s progression with twenty minutes still to play. The Welsh forward Brennan Johnson, who had recently transferred from Crystal Palace, added a fourth goal to the tally. Johnson’s strike marked his first goal since November 2025 and demonstrated his growing confidence within the Everton ranks.
His finish was a clinical finish after a well‑worked move, providing a final flourish to an already convincing performance. Post‑match reactions highlighted the contrasting perspectives of both managers. Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom, speaking on Sky Sports Football, expressed frustration at the timing of the second goal, noting that his team had just introduced substitutes when the equaliser arrived. He lamented the defensive lapses that led to the clean sheet being compromised and emphasized the need for attacking reinforcements to alleviate pressure on his back line.
Heckingbottom admitted that the squad’s depth, particularly in the forward positions, was a concern and that the lack of creative options made it difficult to maintain defensive solidity. Everton’s manager David Moyes, also on Sky Sports Football, praised his side’s overall performance, describing the match as more comfortable than anticipated. He commended the team’s attacking display, highlighting the four goals as a positive sign. Moyes acknowledged that the first half could have been sharper in terms of finishing, but expressed satisfaction with the result and the manner in which the players executed the game plan.
Barry’s manager also offered specific comments about his striker’s development. He recalled advising Barry at the end of the previous season to improve significantly, stressing the importance of centre‑forwards contributing goals. Moyes noted that adapting to the Premier League is challenging for any newcomer, especially for a forward, but praised Barry’s improved attitude and the work being done by the coaching staff to nurture his growth.
Regarding Johnson, Moyes spoke about rediscovering the form the Welshman displayed during his time at Tottenham, where he was prolific. He lauded Johnson’s assist and finish in the cup tie, suggesting that the performance hinted at a return to his earlier scoring instincts. Moyes cautioned against rushing Johnson back into the starting eleven too quickly, but affirmed that the youngster had performed admirably on the night.
Overall, Everton’s 4-0 victory over Preston not only secured their place in the next round of the Carabao Cup but also provided a platform for emerging talents like Barry and Johnson to showcase their abilities. The win adds momentum to Moyes’ side as they look ahead to a challenging encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers, while also offering a glimpse into the potential attacking options that could shape Everton’s season across both league and cup competitions.