David Moyes marked a poignant homecoming to Preston North End on Tuesday night as his Everton side thrashed the Championship strugglers to progress in the Carabao Cup, with striker Thierno Barry scoring his first hat-trick in English football.
It was Moyes' first competitive match at Deepdale since departing the club for Everton more than 24 years ago, and the Preston supporters gave him a warm reception both before and after the game. "I loved being back," Moyes said afterward, reflecting on a stadium and a club where he spent years both as a player and manager before his move to Goodison Park transformed his career.
The result was never in serious doubt as Everton cruised to victory, setting up a third-round tie against Wolves, who eliminated the Toffees at the same stage last season. Barry, signed by Everton in 2025, struggled to adapt during his debut campaign in English football, something Moyes acknowledged is common for overseas strikers. "He found it really difficult last year which it is for a lot of boys coming in from overseas and it is worse for centre-forwards," the manager explained. Two matches into this new season, however, Barry already has four goals to his name.
Much of the credit for Barry's treble belonged to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who was instrumental in all three goals and received warm applause from the travelling Everton fans. His pinpoint pass sent Vitalii Mykolenko forward to set up Barry's opener with a first-time finish, while his third assist came from a devastating counter-attack that also involved a low cross from Brennan Johnson. Barry's second goal was less aesthetically pleasing, coming off a deflection after Dewsbury-Hall's powerful strike was parried by Preston goalkeeper Lee Nicholls.
Barry also played a creative role himself, splitting the Preston defense with a pass that allowed Johnson to score his first goal since finding the net for Wales against North Macedonia back in November. Johnson, who joined Everton this summer in a deal that saw Dwight McNeil move the other way to Crystal Palace, had struggled since his £35m switch to Selhurst Park last year, failing to score in 26 appearances for the Eagles. His impact off the bench against Preston, contributing both a goal and an assist in what was just his second Everton outing, offered encouragement for the season ahead.
"I was really pleased," Moyes said of Johnson's performance. "Everyone remembers Brennan at Tottenham. He got 15 or 16 goals one season. That was more like the Brennan Johnson people recognise and hopefully his confidence gets a big lift." Johnson had previously scored the winning goal in the Europa League final for Tottenham.
Despite the comfortable win, Moyes admitted he wanted even more from his side. "I would still like more, you think of the one or two opportunities he had that he didn't score, I am annoyed with those ones," he said of Barry's overall display.
Elsewhere on the pitch, winger Tyler Dibling started just his seventh match for Everton and came close to his first goal for the club, only to be denied by Nicholls. At the other end, former Everton season-ticket holder Callum Lang tested goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with an ambitious overhead kick attempt.
Moyes made just three changes to his starting lineup compared to Preston's seven, a decision that underlined his focus on the competition despite earlier comments suggesting Premier League survival remained the club's primary objective this season. Everton's last major trophy came in 1995, and the Carabao Cup now represents one of their most realistic paths back to silverware.
Based on reporting from The Independent.