Thierno Barry double completes Everton comeback against Coventry

Everton came from behind to beat Coventry City 3-1 in the Premier League, with Thierno Barry scoring twice as David Moyes’s side continued an unexpectedly strong campaign. Coventry led early in the second half through Yann Gboho, who finished after Jack Rudoni helped create the opening. The visitors had impressed before taking the lead, but Everton responded within 10 minutes and turned the match around.

Barry levelled with a powerful header after Tyler Dibling’s cross was not cleared and Vitalii Mykolenko delivered a second ball into the area. The French forward then put Everton ahead when he bundled in a delivery from Tyrique George. Coventry defender Jay Dasilva made an unsuccessful attempt to clear, and the ball struck Barry before crossing the line.

Barry completed his influential display by setting up Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who ran through the Coventry defence and finished inside the near post. The result gave Barry 10 goals in all competitions this season, placing him just behind Erling Haaland in the goalscoring standings cited by the Guardian. Moyes described Barry’s performance as “fabulous” and said the striker’s language, understanding and communication had improved as he settled into the team.

The Everton manager also cautioned that the club’s small squad could eventually limit its progress, despite the side sitting fifth in the league. The match was Everton’s 592nd under Moyes, matching the record held by former manager Harry Catterick. Moyes said it was humbling to see his name alongside Catterick’s and expressed hope of adding trophies, though he acknowledged the different circumstances facing the current team.

Coventry manager Frank Lampard argued that several refereeing decisions had gone against his side. He said Coventry should have received a penalty when James Tarkowski appeared to pull Caleb Yirenkyi’s hair and raise an arm near Ethan Pinnock’s face. Referee Stuart Attwell and video assistant referee Timothy Wood did not intervene.

Lampard also claimed Taiwo Awoniyi was fouled inside the area by Mykolenko, saying the defender’s knee struck the forward behind the knee. A third appeal involved a possible handball by Barry before Everton’s second goal. The Guardian said replays were inconclusive, while Lampard maintained that video review had failed to do its job.

Everton’s comeback therefore combined clinical finishing with disputed moments. Coventry’s complaints did not alter the result, but the decisions added controversy to a match in which Lampard’s side had competed well before Everton’s attacking quality decided the second half.