Thierno Barry left Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar bloodied, and a VAR check then cleared their tangle during the Premier League match at St James' Park
Thierno Barry covering his ears
Thierno Barry had the last laugh for Everton against Newcastle United(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA, Getty Images)
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Jamie Carragher has claimed that Fabian Schar was trying to fool referee John Brooks by going down in the build-up to Thierno Barry scoring Everton's goal against Newcastle United. The defender grabbed his face after both players were jostling for position inside Newcastle's penalty area before Barry continued his run and scored the game's only goal.
Schar stayed down to receive medical attention and had to leave the St. James' Park pitch once play resumed. Carragher, however, did not deem it a foul.
Instead, the former defender praised Barry for great centre-forward play. He also stressed that it was not a deliberate elbow.
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Speaking about Schar, Carragher said on Sky Sports during post-match coverage on Monday Night Football: "He doesn't expect to get a free kick, but he tries to get a free kick. Sees if he can, y'know, fool the referee or something like that.
"That's great centre-forward play; that's getting your arm across a centre-back. Centre-backs should be doing that to centre-forwards, and centre-forwards should do that to centre-backs in that situation.
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"It's not a foul at all; it's not an elbow. He's getting his arm across to make sure he's in front of the defender when the ball comes across."
Fabian Schar of Newcastle United receives medical attention during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James' Park
Fabian Schar was left with a bloodied face(Image: Getty Images)
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During the match, co-commentator Andy Hinchcliffe said: "I just wonder whether Newcastle are saying that Thierno Barry may have fouled Schar as he made his way into that goalscoring position. Did he take out the centre-half?"
However, as a lengthy VAR review continued, the former England international, who made over 200 appearances for Everton during his playing career, concluded: "Plenty for VAR to look at here. It didn't look as if there was a foul on Schar there.
"So it's the offside decisions that are the big calls." He reiterated: "It didn't look as if Barry had taken out Schar."
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Hinchcliffe also reserved particular praise for the striker, saying: "Barry always has belief that a chance will come. Defensively for Newcastle, it is truly shocking. It's terrible goalkeeping as well; he doesn't get down quickly enough.
"Barry is ready for the tap-in, and it's a testament to his mental strength. He just keeps going."
Carragher concluded: "If Everton can beat Coventry on Friday then they've had a fantastic start to the season. They'll be in a healthy position in the league, and they're in the quarter-finals against Fleetwood, with a great chance to reach the semi-finals. David Moyes produces the goods again."