Thierno Barry scores hat-trick as Everton win 4-0 at Deepdale
Brennan Johnson scores his first goal following summer move
Blues safely through to third round of the Carabao Cup
Thierno Barry scored a hat-trick as Everton comfortably beat Preston North End 4-0 at Deepdale to reach the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Brennan Johnson added the fourth shortly after coming off the bench as David Moyes enjoyed a winning return to his former club.
Moyes made three changes from Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League win against Crystal Palace, with Tyler Dibling among those coming into the side.
Everton were on top for much of the first half and went ahead after 25 minutes.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall picked out Vitaliy Mykolenko with a ball over the Preston defence and the left-back controlled before finding Barry, who finished from inside the penalty area.
It was Barry’s second goal in as many games after scoring against Palace at the weekend.
Dibling went close to adding another before half-time, forcing Lee Nicholls into a save, which diverted his shot against the woodwork.
Barry completes his hat-trick
Preston made a brighter start to the second half, but Everton doubled their lead in the 59th minute.
Dewsbury-Hall combined with Iliman Ndiaye before seeing his shot saved by Nicholls. Barry was first to the loose ball and made no mistake from close range.
The striker completed his hat-trick 11 minutes later.
Johnson, introduced from the bench, was released down the right and squared the ball across goal for Barry to finish at the far post.
Everton then scored again almost immediately.
This time Barry supplied Johnson with a pass through the Preston defence and the summer signing finished beyond Nicholls for his first goal for the club.
There was no way back for the Championship side from there, with Everton seeing out the remainder of the game comfortably.
Harrison Armstrong also completed another 90 minutes in midfield on his return to Deepdale, where he spent part of last season on loan.
But Barry was the clear difference between the sides.
The 23-year-old managed eight goals during his first season at Everton but has started this campaign with four in two games.
Moyes will also be pleased with the manner of the victory. Everton took the competition seriously, avoided any second-round drama and are safely into the third round.
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Everton 2-0 Crystal Palace: Dewsbury-Hall and Barry give Blues perfect start
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