Everton beat Ipswich Town 1-0 at the Hill Dickinson yesterday, but Thierno Barry might easily have walked away with two goals rather than one.
Barry put Everton ahead after 11 minutes and thought he had struck again early in the second half. This time, VAR intervened. Referee Stuart Attwell was eventually sent to the pitchside monitor, and the goal was disallowed because Brennan Johnson, who was in an offside position, was judged to have interfered with play.
Why was Thierno Barry’s second Everton goal disallowed?
Barry had already got the final touch to James Tarkowski’s effort for the opener when Everton had the ball in the net again in the 59th minute.
This time Barry headed home, but attention quickly turned to Brennan Johnson. Johnson was in an offside position, and VAR decided his involvement warranted Attwell taking another look at the incident. After going to the monitor, the referee agreed, and the goal was ruled out. Everton remained 1-0 ahead, and Barry remained on five goals for the season.
What does the offside law say?
Simply standing in an offside position is not an offence. Under IFAB Law 11, a player can be penalised if, from an offside position, they interfere with an opponent.
That was the judgement Attwell had to make at the monitor. Johnson’s position itself wasn’t in dispute; the question was whether his involvement was enough for the goal to be disallowed. Attwell decided it was.
Moyes unconvinced by VAR decision
David Moyes wasn’t convinced. The Everton manager questioned the decision afterwards and, in particular, the consistency with which that interpretation of offside is being applied.
We’ve covered Moyes’ reaction and his argument in full in our post-match VAR piece. Fortunately for Everton, they didn’t need Barry’s second goal.
The 11th-minute opener proved enough for a 1-0 victory, with Ipswich later reduced to 10 men when Abdul Fatawu was shown a second yellow card for simulation.
Attwell’s appointment and the rest of Saturday’s officiating team can be found in our Everton v Ipswich referee guide, while the two starting XIs are available in our confirmed line-ups piece. Barry had to settle for one.
Everton got the three points. They’ll take that.
LIVE! Premier League 2026/27 News, Transfers, Updates & Viral Moments
Moyes praises Everton run but demands more ruthless finishing
Moyes praises Everton run but demands more ruthless finishing
Barry goals and Armstrong minutes give Moyes plenty to like
Barry goals and Armstrong minutes give Moyes plenty to like