French striker Thierno Barry was given a standing ovation by the crowd at Hill Dickinson Stadium but has to get off the mark since his £27million transfer to the Premier League
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Thierno Barry of Everton reacts after scoring a goal which was ruled out for offside during the Premier League match between Everton and Fulham at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Thierno Barry has had a very frustrating start to his Everton career(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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Everton fans love a cult hero and in a non-scoring, expensive, accident-prone striker, they might just have found a very unlikely one. When he finally left the field - after some amateur dramatics when his number went up - Thierno Barry was treated to a standing ovation from all four Hill Dickinson stands.
He was also treated to some words from David Moyes, the gist of which remained unclear. But the Everton manager might not have been overly impressed by Barry’s public show of dismay at being substituted.
If that was the case, Moyes did well to disguise it. Instead, he read the room and went with the flow, lauding Barry for his selfless, hard-working performance in the win over Fulham. Barry certainly worked hard.
His commitment and attitude were beyond reproach and he produced moments of quality that made a £27million transfer fee slightly more comprehensible. The talk after what turned out to be a routine victory over alarmingly mediocre opposition was that this might have been a breakthrough game for Barry.
And when Moyes said Barry deserved the crowd’s appreciation because he “worked his nuts off” and “did a really good job for the team”, he was spot-on. But the fact is that Barry cost a lot of money, has made 13 appearances for Everton - six starts and seven as substitute - and has yet to score.
Yes, his contribution to a much-needed Everton win was significant. But whether or not he is an answer to the club’s issues upfront is still up for serious debate.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 5: David Moyes, Manager of Everton celebrates after winning the Premier League match between Everton and Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar Via Getty Images)
David Moyes had words with Thierno Barry when taking him off but later praised the French striker
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When he analyses his team’s performances, that must be a source of huge frustration for Moyes. And that is because this is an Everton side that has the potential to be a seriously good outfit.
Top goalkeeper? Check. On the two occasions that demanded his attention, Jordan Pickford was again faultless.
Solid defence? Check. Michael Keane marshalled an efficient back line and chipped in with a set-piece goal that wrapped up the win.
Effective midfield? Check. Idrissa Gueye, who poked in the opener just before half-time, set the diligent tone and the outstanding Kieran Dewsbury-Hall, along with Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye, completed a high-class department.
Potent attack? Er, no. To go with Barry’s blank sheet, Beto has two goals in his 13 appearances this season and 17 in 81 outings for the club.
Everton FC #11 Thierno Barry is in action during the Premier League match between Everton and Fulham at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, England, on November 8, 2025. (Photo by Mike Morese/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Thierno Barry has not scored in 13 appearances for Everton this season(Image: Mike Morese/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Against Fulham, Barry had one effort disallowed because a team-mate was offside but he was also guilty of straying the wrong side when Dewsbury-Hall had one ruled out. And from a typically excellent Ndiaye cross, he also sent a very inviting headed chance over the bar.
But maybe, just maybe, the wonderful reaction of the Everton fans to Barry’s withdrawal might just kick-start the 23-year-old’s Premier League career. He certainly seems to think so.
Beto of Everton in action during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Ipswich Town FC at Goodison Park on May 3, 2025 in Liverpool, England
Beto replaced Thierno Barry late in the Fulham win but he's also struggling to find scoring form
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“There are things that mean more than goals,” he posted on Instagram. “With my difficult start to the season without scoring, receiving an ovation from you today really warmed my heart and showed me that I’m on the right path. Once again, thank you so much.” In a footnote, he added that “the best is yet to come.”
If that is the case, Everton and Moyes can start looking forward to a surge up the table because the only thing missing from this team is a reliably productive striker. Maybe, just maybe, Barry might become that man.
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