Thierno Barry proved to be the decisive factor as Everton cruised into the third round of the Carabao Cup, overwhelming Preston North End with a convincing 4-0 victory at Deepdale. The French forward not only netted a hat‑trick but also provided the assist for his third goal, showcasing a blend of clinical finishing and intelligent playmaking that left the home side scrambling for answers.
Barry's tally for the season has been impressive: eight goals in 41 appearances during the 2025/26 campaign. Remarkably, after scoring his first goal of the current season in Everton's Premier League win over Crystal Palace, he is already halfway to matching that total despite having featured in 38 fewer matches.
This striking efficiency underlines his growing importance to the Toffees' attacking line‑up. Everton, who have not progressed beyond the third round of the competition since the 2023/24 season, will now face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the next stage. The draw sets up a challenging encounter that could test the squad’s depth and tactical flexibility. From the opening whistle, Everton asserted dominance.
Their possession statistics were heavily skewed in their favour, and they generated a steady stream of chances against a Preston side that has already lost both of its opening fixtures in the Sky Bet Championship. While many of Preston's opportunities were of limited quality, Everton's attacks were sharp and purposeful, reflecting a well‑drilled side intent on imposing its rhythm.
The breakthrough came on the tenth attempt. 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, giving Everton an early lead and setting the tone for the rest of the match. Following the opening goal, there were moments when it seemed the floodgates might open.
However, the Toffees maintained composure and did not allow the game to get out of hand. As the second half commenced, Preston appeared to find a spark, but the Everton crowd sensed that the visitors were still on the back foot. Barry struck again just before the hour‑mark, doubling Everton's advantage and making any potential comeback for Preston increasingly unlikely.
His second goal was a simple yet effective finish that further demoralised the home side. Ten minutes later, Barry completed his hat‑trick with another composed strike, effectively sealing Everton's progression with plenty of time left on the clock.
The scoring spree did not end with Barry. Brennan Johnson, the Welsh forward who recently transferred from Crystal Palace, added a fourth goal to the tally.
This marked his first goal since November 2025 and demonstrated his growing confidence within the Everton setup. Johnson's contribution highlighted the depth of Everton's attacking options and provided a glimpse of his potential impact in future fixtures. Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom expressed his frustration in a post‑match interview on Sky Sports Football.
He lamented the timing of the second goal, noting that it came just as his substitutes were about to enter the field, which he felt altered the momentum of the game. Heckingbottom also acknowledged the difficulty of keeping a clean sheet against a higher‑rated opponent and highlighted the need for more attacking options to relieve pressure on his defence.
He explained that the current squad composition—primarily defenders and a handful of midfielders on the bench—limits the team's ability to apply sustained offensive pressure. Everton manager David Moyes offered his perspective on the performance, describing the result as more comfortable than he had initially anticipated.
He praised the team's overall display, acknowledging moments of quality football while also pointing out that the first half could have been finished more efficiently. Moyes was particularly pleased with the four‑goal haul, emphasizing that scoring multiple goals in a cup tie is a positive sign for the squad's morale and confidence. Speaking about Barry, Moyes highlighted the striker's development over the past season. He recalled urging Barry at the end of the previous campaign to improve his goal‑scoring output, stressing the importance of centre‑forwards delivering goals.
Moyes praised Barry's adaptation to the Premier League, noting his improved attitude and the effective work of the coaching staff in guiding his progress. Moyes also commented on Johnson's performance, drawing parallels to his prolific spell at Tottenham Hotspur. He praised Johnson's assist and finishing in the match, suggesting that the player is beginning to recapture the form that once made him a regular goal‑scorer. Moyes cautioned against rushing Johnson back into the starting eleven too quickly, but affirmed that his display was encouraging.
Overall, Everton's comprehensive victory not only secured their place in the next round of the Carabao Cup but also provided a platform for several players to showcase their abilities. Barry's hat‑trick will be remembered as a standout individual performance, while Johnson's goal hints at a resurgence for the Welshman. The upcoming clash with Wolves promises to be a stern test, but the confidence gained from a dominant display against Preston could prove invaluable as the Toffees aim to advance further in the competition.
For fans wishing to relive the highlights, the match is available on the Sky Sports app, and Premier League highlights can be streamed for free. Additionally, the club encourages supporters to engage with their Super 6 competition for a chance to win a £1 million prize, with entry available at no cost.