Thierno Barry’s first season at Everton was defined by frustration, limited opportunities and a struggle for confidence. This campaign, however, the French striker has transformed into the Toffees’ most influential attacking player, matching his previous eight-goal total in only 12 appearances.


Barry scored again in Everton’s 1-0 Premier League win at Newcastle on Monday, finding the net for the second time against the Magpies in five days. Only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, with 13 goals, has scored more across all competitions among Premier League players this season.


A difficult first year on Merseyside

Everton signed Barry from Villarreal for £27m in July 2025, with the France Under-21 international agreeing a four-year contract until June 2029. He arrived after scoring 11 goals and providing four assists in 38 appearances for Villarreal during the 2024-25 season.

His early months at Everton were difficult. Barry managed only one shot across his first 16 appearances for the club, while the pressure of adapting to the Premier League and the expectations that came with his transfer fee became increasingly visible.


Last month, he shared a video showing himself breaking down emotionally during a private training session from the previous season. That vulnerable moment now stands in sharp contrast to his current confidence, with Barry celebrating his latest goal with a knee slide before breaking into dance.


Barry becomes Everton’s focal point

Following Beto’s move to Fiorentina, Barry is Everton’s only recognised senior striker. That responsibility has not slowed him down; instead, he has become central to David Moyes’s attacking plans and is now indispensable to the team.


Before Monday’s match, Everton had created 24 big chances in the Premier League, with Barry involved in 15 of them, 62.5% of the total. That figure underlines how heavily Moyes’s side rely on his movement, physical presence and ability to occupy defenders.

Barry has still faced criticism for missed opportunities. Against Newcastle, he failed to convert cleanly when through on goal after latching onto Jarrad Branthwaite’s flick-on, but he remained involved and eventually made the decisive contribution.


The goal that decided the game

Barry’s winner arrived in the 49th minute after Tyrique George was allowed to drive unmarked into the Newcastle box. George’s low effort slipped beneath goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek, leaving Barry with the simple task of tapping into an empty net from close range.

The chance carried an expected goals value of 0.995, making it almost impossible to miss. Barry’s finish was his eighth goal in 12 matches this season and followed his strike in Everton’s 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over Newcastle on Thursday.


Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle disputed the goal, claiming there was a clear foul on Fabian Schar in the build-up. Barry, however, said he was simply focused on scoring, adding that Dan Burn and Schar were among the toughest defenders he had faced this season.


Moyes praises striker’s persistence

Moyes welcomed Barry’s return to form, stressing that every team needs its centre-forward to score regularly. He acknowledged that Barry has missed chances this season but praised his willingness to keep attacking the box and remain in the right positions.

Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher made a similar point, saying that while Barry can be wasteful, his persistence is now being rewarded with goals. That combination of resilience and improved finishing has been central to his revival.


Everton captain James Tarkowski also highlighted the burden Barry carries as the club’s only recognised striker, noting his high running numbers and his tendency to be hard on himself. He expressed hope that Barry can continue scoring consistently throughout the campaign.


Everton climb the table

Barry’s goal helped Everton secure their first Premier League away win since February and moved them up to seventh in the table with 13 points from nine matches. They are now two points behind fifth-placed Liverpool.

The victory was also Everton’s third consecutive Premier League win at St James’ Park and their fourth clean sheet of the season. Jarrad Branthwaite returned after missing two matches through concussion protocols and won 10 of his 12 aerial duels.


For Barry, the revival is about more than statistics. After a difficult introduction to English football, he is now delivering in decisive moments, giving Everton a reliable focal point and proving why the club invested £27m in his potential.