Thierno Barry’s Hat-Trick Powers Everton to Dominant Carabao Cup Victory Over Preston

Thierno Barry delivered a stunning performance by scoring his first hat-trick for Everton, helping the Toffees secure a comprehensive victory over Preston North End in the Carabao Cup. Barry’s clinical finishing and an assist for new signing Brennan Johnson highlighted the match, marking a significant boost for manager David Moyes early in the season.

The match, played on 26 August 2026, saw Everton return to Preston, a club where Moyes made his name before his move to Goodison Park in 2002. Barry, a France under-21 international, has shown remarkable improvement after a challenging debut season in England where he scored eight goals. Already, in just two games this campaign, he has netted four goals, including the decisive hat-trick against Preston.

Barry’s performance included a poacher’s hat-trick following his headed goal against Crystal Palace, demonstrating his growing confidence and importance to Everton’s attacking line. His ability to find the back of the net with precision underlines the striker’s potential to be the goalscorer Moyes has been seeking to bolster the squad.

Alongside Barry’s goal-scoring exploits, Brennan Johnson, a recent addition to the Everton squad, also made a significant impact by assisting one of Barry’s goals. This contribution reflects the promising start for the new signing and the positive chemistry developing within the team.

This emphatic win not only advances Everton in the Carabao Cup but also provides momentum for the Premier League campaign. The victory at Preston is a morale booster for Moyes and his players, reinforcing their attacking options and squad depth.

Looking ahead, Everton will aim to maintain this form as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures in the league and cup competitions. Barry’s resurgence as a prolific striker could be a key factor in the club’s ambitions this season, while Moyes will hope to build on this promising start to secure further victories.

For more details on this match, visit The Guardian.