- Thierno Barry has scored 8 goals this season, the most for Everton.
- The French scored a brace in quick succession against Manchester City.
- Barry revealed Moyes asked him to score 2 or 3 before end of the season.
Thierno Barry has endured a difficult first season at Everton. Signed from Villarreal last summer, the 23‑year‑old has shown flashes of his potential but struggled for consistency. His relationship with some fans has been strained, and his form has been patchy. But on Monday night against Manchester City, Thierno Barry delivered when it mattered most.
Coming off the bench in the 64th minute to replace Beto, the French striker scored twice in a breathless 3‑3 draw at Hill Dickinson Stadium. His brace helped overturn a 1‑0 deficit and put Everton into a 3‑1 lead before a late City fightback. It was a performance that rewarded David Moyes’ faith and offered a reminder of Barry’s quality.
Thierno Barry: ‘I took this opportunity’
Barry spoke after the game about his goals and urged Everton to keep pushing for the remaining games. “I’m very happy to come on and score two goals,” he said. “In the end, we had to settle for a draw so we need to keep pushing because there are three games left. I think God gave me this opportunity and I took it. I’m very happy.”
The striker explained how he had studied City’s tactics from the bench. “When I was on the bench, I watched the tactics of City and saw high pressures from City, so I knew if we could win the ball back we could counter-attack. I think this is a weakness of City.”
He added, “It’s always a privilege to play against the big teams, like Man City. I’m very happy to come on and score two goals. We drew, so we need to keep pushing. We have just three games now so we need to take more points.”
Barry repays Moyes’ faith after training field instructions
Thierno Barry revealed that David Moyes had given him specific instructions in training the day before. “He didn’t talk to me too much before (I came on), but yesterday in training, him and me worked on finishing. He said to me: ‘You need to score two or three goals before the end of the season.’ I scored two today, so I’m happy.”
The brace took Barry’s Premier League tally to eight goals in 35 appearances, including 20 starts. Against City, he played just 26 minutes, registering two shots, both on target. He also won three ground duels and earned a Sofascore rating of 8.9.
Thierno Barry has the most goals this campaign for Everton, tied with Beto and Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall, who also have scored 8 goals.
A response to the critics
Thierno Barry has received plenty of stick this season. His inconsistency and a controversial off‑pitch incident have tested the patience of some supporters. But his response against Manchester City was obvious. Barry paid off David Moyes’s faith in him with a brilliant outing.
The draw keeps Everton’s European hopes alive. With three games remaining, away at Crystal Palace, then home to Sunderland and Tottenham, every point matters.
“I think we need to take it game by game and see where we are,” Thierno Barry said. If he can maintain this form, Everton’s late push for Europe may just have the last push it needs.
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