Thierno Barry's Hat-Trick Leads Everton to Victory Over Preston in Carabao Cup

Thierno Barry walked off with the match ball and a statement performance as Everton tore through Preston North End to book a Carabao Cup third-round tie at home to Wolves.

The summer signing hit his first hat-trick for the club, while fellow new arrival Brennan Johnson finally snapped his own barren run with a first Everton goal in a commanding win that never really felt in doubt.

Moyes goes strong – and Everton go straight for the throat

Back at the club where he first made his name as a manager, David Moyes showed there would be no sentiment. He named a strong XI, making only three changes from the opening-weekend Premier League victory over Crystal Palace.

Everton responded by taking control almost immediately. They moved the ball with purpose, pinned Preston back and, once they found their rhythm, the gulf between the sides quickly became obvious.

The breakthrough came on 25 minutes. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall split Preston open with a superb pass out to the left, Vitalii Mykolenko delivered low into the box and Barry arrived where strikers are supposed to be – six yards out, calm, and ready to tap in his first of the night.

Preston’s brief flicker

Paul Heckingbottom, still searching for a first league win after two Championship games, rolled the dice with seven changes from the weekend defeat by Wolves. For a short spell, it looked as if that gamble might at least make a contest of it.

Leo Leroy found space in the area and had a clear sight of goal, only to fail to hit the target. It was a big chance, and it went begging.

Tyler Dibling then rattled the post with Jordan Pickford beaten, a reminder that Everton were not completely out of reach. Iliman Ndiaye, bright and inventive, whipped in a teasing cross that Barry glanced just wide at the other end. The game opened up. For a few minutes, Preston were alive.

Then the pressure told again.

Barry takes over

Just before the hour, Everton killed the tie.

Dewsbury-Hall let fly from the edge of the box with a fierce drive that Lee Nicholls could only parry. Barry reacted quicker than anyone, pouncing on the loose ball and steering it into the net for his second.

Preston tried to respond. Callum Lang forced Pickford into action with an ambitious overhead kick, a rare moment that lifted the away end. But it was only a brief interruption to Everton’s dominance.

On 70 minutes, Barry completed his hat-trick. Substitute Johnson broke down the flank and whipped in a low cross. Barry timed his run perfectly, met it cleanly and turned the ball home to seal the match ball and the tie in one swing.

Johnson finally finds the net

Once Barry had his treble, Johnson stepped into the spotlight.

The forward, signed from Crystal Palace this summer and without a goal since November, had been searching for a moment to ignite his Everton career. He got it with 18 minutes left.

Barry turned provider this time, sliding a through ball into Johnson’s path. Johnson drove low, precise and decisive, past Nicholls and into the corner. Drought over. Shoulders loosened. Applause all around.

Barry’s flying start – with one concern

Barry now has four goals in two games this season, adding this hat-trick to his strike in the 2-0 win over Palace. His movement, sharpness and finishing gave Everton exactly the cutting edge Moyes demanded when he rebuilt his attack over the summer.

There was one cloud on the night: Barry appeared to pick up a knock before being withdrawn late on. Everton will hope it is nothing serious.

With Wolves looming in the next round and the league campaign just beginning to take shape, they can ill afford to lose the man who has suddenly become their most ruthless finisher.