James Tarkowski in action for Everton against Coventry
James Tarkowski in action for Everton against Coventry(Image: (Mike Morese/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
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Everton secured their third win in eight days by coming from behind to beat Coventry City last Friday. After falling behind at the start of the second-half to Yann Gboho’s first goal for the Sky Blues, a quick-fire brace from Thierno Barry turned the game around.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall then sealed all three points for the Blues nine minutes from time. The victory means David Moyes' side currently find themselves sixth in the table.
And with a League Cup quarter-final against Fleetwood Town to come, our Everton jury have returned to have their say.
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Mark McParlan
Friday night against Coventry was another enjoyable win, and it was fantastic to see us scoring three goals at home again (even if from behind this time). I understand that there’s been discussion on VAR decisions going in our favour, but in the ground on the night, none of that was felt at all.
Thierno Barry - take a bow. This was for me easily his most impressive performance in an Everton shirt. Right from the very off, and throughout all the first half, he looked bang on it. He was running the channels, winning headers, putting himself about, hustling, and pressing their defenders on the ball.
He looked determined. If we continue to see quality crosses from Tyrique George and (yes!) Vitalii Mykolenko, then we should keep seeing Barry score goals. And his improvements shouldn’t overshadow Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s undoubted class showing through again, which was rewarded this time with a brilliantly-taken goal too.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall after scoring for Everton against Coventry City
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall after scoring for Everton against Coventry City (Image: (Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images))
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Sixth in the league, and the last eight of the League Cup going into the November international break is spectacular work by the manager and players. All credit to both for the turnaround. We’re in a completely different situation than two weeks ago.
I understand why Jarrad Branthwaite this week expressed similar sentiments as did Dewsbury-Hall at the close of the window, about the squad being 'written off' after the summer window’s failures. That underestimated the quality and strength at the core of this squad, and David Moyes’ ability to keep us competitive in almost every match.
It’s a tough run after the break with the derby sandwiched between away matches at Brentford and Aston Villa. Fewer than 4 points and we could quickly return to where we were after Chelsea and Arsenal. Let’s hope not.
James Kellett
Everton head into the November international break in a position that some would have found difficult to believe just weeks ago. Sitting in the Premier League top six, and with a chance to progress to the Carabao Cup semi-final, the Toffees’ upcoming matches are some of their biggest in recent seasons.Prior to the international break, David Moyes’ side played three matches in nine days, winning all of them. This in itself is something to applaud, considering the poor depth the Blues currently possess, as only 13 different starting players were used over the three matches.While it was encouraging to see Everton achieve wins through a variety of styles, the game against Coventry City presented a warning. Thierno Barry stole the show once again as the striker bagged another two goals and an assist, yet as a team, the Toffees were arguably the inferior side for the majority of the game.Frank Lampard’s men offered more threat in the first half and were duly rewarded early in the second period when they went ahead through Yann Gboho. Falling a goal behind seemed to play to Everton’s advantage, as it only shifted them into gear; the equaliser came only four minutes after conceding, and they grabbed the lead five minutes after that.
Yann Gboho puts Coventry City ahead against Everton
Yann Gboho puts Coventry City ahead against Everton(Image: (Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
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It was, in all, a positive night for Moyes and his team, with their quality proving to be too much for Coventry. However, for large chunks of the match, they were outfought by the Sky Blues who simply looked to have more energy than their opponents.
This didn’t come as a surprise considering the Toffees’ busy schedule and their inability to utilise squad depth. Starting from Everton’s upcoming visit to Brentford, they will face a fixture schedule featuring 10 matches in the space of six weeks.This will prove to be one of the toughest spells Moyes is set to face in his long career with the Blues. Currently, Moyes has just enough options to make a variety of changes, so there is some reason to believe his side can safely navigate the brutal schedule, yet if injuries and suspensions begin to creep in, things could take a turn for the worse.With no indication of business being conducted in the January window, this could be a season of making do with what we’ve got, regardless of potential future absences. Either way, Everton have built themselves a platform to progress and thrive this season; it just remains to be seen if they can take it and have a dose of luck on their side with regard to their squad.
Paul McParlan
It was important that we went into the international break on a high and the win over Coventry City on Friday evening certainly helped that. It was an important victory and Everton showed resilience to come back from behind to claim the three points and continue our recent unbeaten run.
There were several positives: Thierno Barry continued his scoring run, Kiernan Dewsbury Hall had another outstanding game and the team produced some of their best football of the season in the second half. The atmosphere at Hill Dickinson Stadium was electric, our new stadium really comes alive on nights like these. Although it has still not quite reached the bearpit levels of Goodison Park, Friday showed how intimidating it can be for opposition sides.
After ten games, over a quarter of the season, we are currently in sixth place on 16 points and more importantly we are in the last eight of the Carabao Cup with every chance of making the semi-finals. I would have taken that at the start of the season. After the shambles of transfer deadline day and the news that the Friedkin group were looking to sell the club, David Moyes deserves some credit for what he has achieved with the limited resources at his disposal.
Thierno Barry has been an unexpected revelation this campaign. After his spat with Everton fans over an incident with his friends at the Arsenal away game last March, it seemed he would be on his way out. It is to his credit that he has learnt from that experience and has become a fan favourite and a potential future candidate for Strictly with his celebratory dance routines. His all-round game has improved and his six goals have made him the third-highest scorer in the Premier League this campaign.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 06: Thierno Barry of Everton celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Coventry City at Hill Dickinson Stadium on November 06, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Thierno Barry is in superb form for Everton (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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Our recent winning run has been helped by the return of defensive solidity. James Tarkowski has been immense in defence and his partnership with Jarrad Branthwaite has ensured that only three teams in the league have conceded fewer goals than us. Vitalii Mykolenko has also delivered some impressive displays recently.
There are still some concerns. The manager’s delayed use of substitutes continues to frustrate at times. Why does Charly Alcaraz only ever get five minutes? Will Braiden Graham ever get on the pitch? Is Jack Grealish’s time at Everton over, or is there a way back for him?
The international break is always a worry, with our small squad we cannot afford any of our key players to pick up an injury. Did we really need another round of Nations League fixtures so soon after the recent ones in September? After beating Coventry, it will be 17 days until our next match at Brentford.
We are four points and eight places better off than last season with a Wembley visit still in our sights. That is progress, surely? Our recent results have raised expectations, is it time to enjoy the ride?