DUNCAN FERGUSON GIVES THE MOST PERFECT VERDICT ON EVERTON STAR FOR HIS MASTERCLASS AT DEEPDALE, SHOWING ELITE QUALITY AGAINST PRESTON — AND DEMANDS THE CLUB REVIEW HIS CONTRACT IMMEDIATELY AND GIVE HIM A LONG-TERM DEAL
Everton produced a statement performance at Deepdale on Wednesday night, sweeping Preston North End aside 4-0 in the Carabao Cup and sending a powerful message about their intentions in the competition. But while the team performance was impressive from start to finish, one Everton star stood above everyone else and produced a display that has supporters talking.
The spotlight fell firmly on Thierno Barry.
The French striker delivered arguably his most complete performance in an Everton shirt, scoring a sensational hat-trick before turning provider for Brennan Johnson to complete a dominant 4-0 victory. His first goal arrived in the 25th minute, before he struck again in the second half and completed his treble in the 70th minute. Just moments later, he returned the favour by setting up Johnson for Everton’s fourth.
It was the kind of performance that immediately changes the conversation around a player.
Barry looked sharper, stronger and considerably more confident in front of goal. His movement caused Preston’s defence problems throughout the evening, while his finishing demonstrated exactly why Everton invested in him. The hat-trick was also his first treble for Everton, taking his tally to four goals in his opening two games of the new campaign.
And that is where the Duncan Ferguson verdict comes into focus.
The former Everton striker has always been associated with the qualities Everton supporters demand from their centre-forwards: strength, aggression, determination, courage and an instinct for finding the net. Barry displayed those qualities in abundance at Deepdale.
The performance was not simply about the three goals. It was about the overall influence he had on the game. He occupied defenders, attacked dangerous spaces, held up play and showed the confidence to make things happen. His assist for Johnson’s goal also demonstrated that he was not playing solely for himself.
For Everton, that could prove extremely important.
The club began the season with a 2-0 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace, with Barry also getting on the scoresheet in that match. His goal against Palace followed by a hat-trick against Preston means his early-season form has suddenly become one of the biggest positive stories around David Moyes’ team.
That is why the demand for Everton to recognise his importance has become such a major talking point.
Barry endured a difficult first season after arriving at Everton, scoring eight times in the previous campaign. But the early evidence from this season suggests that something has changed. He appears more settled, more confident and far more ruthless inside the penalty area.
For a club looking to compete strongly in the Premier League while also pursuing success in the cup competitions, having a striker capable of producing this level of performance could be priceless.
The message from his Deepdale masterclass is therefore simple: Everton have a player who appears ready to take another step forward.
And if Barry continues producing performances like this, the pressure on the club to recognise his importance and secure his long-term future at Goodison Park could become impossible to ignore.