Thierno Barry Fires Everton to Fifth Straight Win Against Ipswich
Everton will head into the international break unbeaten in the Premier League after Thierno Barry’s early strike sealed a 1-0 win over Ipswich at home.
Barry scored in the 11th minute to give David Moyes’ side a fifth victory in five league matches and take his own seasonal return to five goals. Everton sit fifth on nine points, but their manager has moved quickly to cool any talk of a European push.
“We will not be using those words this season,” Moyes said when asked about Europe. “Certainly not in front of the media. We are still building and trying to make sure we perform as well as possible.”
Moyes wary after last season’s collapse
The Everton boss has reason to avoid premature targets. His team were in the race for a Champions League place last season after a 3-0 win over Chelsea in March, before failing to win any of their final seven fixtures.
That run left Everton 13th and outside the European places.
Moyes said last year’s situation had encouraged him to believe his side could sustain their challenge, particularly after the scale of the rebuild following his January 2025 arrival.
“I enjoyed talking that way last year because of what the group had achieved,” he said. “We had been in relegation trouble when I arrived, then we got clear of it and had to bring in 12 or 13 players. The players performed so well that I began to think we genuinely had a chance.”
Attack remains Moyes’ concern
Everton have been difficult to break down, recording five clean sheets across seven matches in all competitions. Their attacking return, however, remains a major issue for Moyes despite Barry’s sharp start.
Beto’s departure and Iliman Ndiaye’s move to Manchester City have left Barry as the squad’s only recognised centre-forward. Against Ipswich, Everton registered 21 attempts but put only two on target.
Moyes insisted his players cannot be satisfied simply because of the unbeaten opening run.
“The manager expects standards like that; nobody should think we have done brilliantly just because we have gone several matches unbeaten,” he said. “What disappoints me is that we are not scoring enough. I am constantly demanding better delivery into the area, improved finishing and more threat from the edge of the box. That is what is stopping us becoming a decent side.”
What happens next
The Everton squad will now have time to recover during the international break before returning to league action against Hull City on October 11.
Newcastle then visit Everton later in October for a Carabao Cup round-of-16 tie.
