Everton collected three points against Ipswich Town, but a baffling decision to disallow Thierno Barry’s second goal left the Blues with considerably more work to do than should have been necessary.
Barry’s early opener proved enough to secure victory at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Yet the main talking point was referee Stuart Attwell’s decision, following a VAR review, to chalk off the striker’s second-half header because Brennan Johnson was deemed to be interfering from an offside position.
Tunnel cam… We're not sure, either, Thierno! 🤷♂️ #EVEIPS pic.twitter.com/N3YT3Pce4k
— Everton (@Everton) September 19, 2026
Everton took the lead after 11 minutes when James Tarkowski’s effort from distance struck Barry’s chest and went beyond Christian Walton. The striker later wasted an opportunity to double his tally, heading wide from Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ delivery, while Jordan Pickford made important saves to protect the advantage.
The moment that should have given Everton breathing space arrived when Barry met Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s corner with a fine header. Instead, a review resulted in Johnson being penalised for his position in front of Walton. The Ipswich goalkeeper had not appealed and appeared unlikely to reach the effort regardless.
That is what makes the decision so difficult to accept.
Johnson’s offside position was not the contentious part. The question was whether he actually prevented Walton from playing the ball. Being beyond the defensive line does not, by itself, constitute an offence: the offside law requires involvement in active play, including interference with an opponent.
On the reported circumstances, the case for overturning the goal looks desperately unconvincing. Where was the clear impact on Walton? What opportunity to deal with Barry’s header had Johnson actually denied him?
A goalkeeper appearing unlikely to make a save does not automatically settle every interference decision. But officials still need a convincing basis for concluding that an attacker affected his ability to play the ball. Everton supporters are entitled to demand a better explanation than simply pointing to Johnson’s position.
Attwell had the opportunity to reassess the incident at the monitor. His eventual decision deserves scrutiny just as much as the intervention that sent him there. Access to replays should produce greater confidence in the outcome; this left a perfectly understandable sense that Everton had been denied a legitimate goal.
Moyes also questioned the decision afterwards, particularly whether the same interpretation would be applied consistently throughout the season. His relief at winning should not allow that concern to disappear.
Everton must nevertheless take responsibility for their own finishing. Abdul Fatawu’s dismissal for a second booking, for simulation, gave the Blues a numerical advantage, but further opportunities went begging. Twenty-one attempts produced just two on target, leaving a match that could have been settled vulnerable to a late equaliser.
Thankfully, Everton held on. Barry had his winner and the Blues had their three points.
The result, though, should not soften criticism of the disallowed goal.