Thierno Barry should probably have more than one Premier League goal this season. But there is plenty to like about the chances he is getting.
The Everton striker has accumulated 2.25 expected goals across his first three league appearances, with his only goal so far coming against Crystal Palace (despite scoring a Carabao Cup hat-trick again).
He missed two big chances at Bournemouth, where his xG was 1.42. Against United on Sunday, his best opening came from an excellent Merlin Rohl cross, but Barry headed over.
Everton need to look after him
Barry has had nine shots in those three games and, excluding penalties, only Erling Haaland has generated more xG in the Premier League.
For a 23-year-old in his first season of English football, that’s not a bad place to be. We’d be worrying a lot more if he wasn’t getting anywhere near the chances.
The issue is Everton have left themselves with nobody else. As we know, Beto was sold to Fiorentina, the Folarin Balogun deal collapsed, and the window closed without another centre-forward arriving. Barry is now Moyes’ only recognised senior striker.
And that’s where the lack of numbers starts to sting.
Barry is young. He will almost certainly have games where little goes right and, quite possibly, spells where the goals dry up. That’s what happens to strikers, even experienced ones.
Usually a manager can take a player out for a game, freshen things up or give somebody else a go. Moyes doesn’t have that luxury. And an injury doesn’t really bear thinking about.
Moyes has spoken about one possible benefit of having such a small squad. Everyone knows they have to be ready, and the response against United certainly suggested he has a tight-knit group.
But there’s small, and there’s small. Going into the next few months with one recognised striker is pushing it.
Barry’s start has been encouraging. He’s getting chances and already has his first Premier League goal. Everton now need the goals to keep coming because, thanks to the way the window ended, there isn’t really a Plan B.
For updates on the Toffees throughout the season, take a look at our LIVE! Premier League 2026/27 News, Transfers, Updates & Viral Moments page.
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