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Preston North End 0-4 Everton: Match Report & Instant Reaction | Barry rampant as Blues move on Everton get Wolves at home in Third Round after tonight’s win Everton started their cup play against Preston North End after the 40 mile drive down the M58 and up the M6. David Moyes ended his playing career at Preston and also started his managerial career before Everton came looking for someone to save them from the drop in 2002. A lot has happened since then but what has not changed is the fact that neither team have won silverware since then and today was another step in that journey. On a purely selfish note, I am heading home to Liverpool in September and would love to see a round three match with the Mighty Blues playing under the lights! Team News David Moyes went with a strong side to take on Preston. Jarrad Branthwaite and Hayden Hackney were given the night off with Michael Keane and James Garner taking their places. A big surprise to see O’Brien on the bench. Tyler Dibling was given another chance to shine on the right wing with Ndiaye moving to his favoured left. Match Report Everton advanced to the third round of the Carabao Cup following a dominant victory over Preston North End, highlighted by a clinical hat-trick from Thierno Barry. After a closely contested first half, Everton pushed forward and eventually forced Preston into submission. The match began with a warm reception for former manager David Moyes, which set a lively atmosphere that energized the travelling Evertonians. While Preston looked to sit back in a resilient low block and strike on the counter-attack through Delano Burgzorg and Adam Armstrong, Everton safely neutralized those early threats. The Toffees dictated the tempo through key involvements from Iliman Ndiaye, Tyler Dibling, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, despite initially struggling to breach Preston’s crowded defensive line. The deadlock was finally broken when Dewsbury-Hall lobbed a precise ball over the top to Vitaliy Mykolenko, who slid a low cross into the middle for Thierno Barry to tap past goalkeeper Nichols. The Evertonians were in full voice. “Oh, Tierno Barry, oh, Tierno Barry!” Sparked by the opening goal, the game opened up as Preston pushed forward in search of an equalizer. Leroy wasted a golden opportunity for the hosts by blasting a shot well over the bar, while Dibling forced a smart save from Nichols on the other end to nearly double Everton’s lead. Preston mounted one final dangerous attack in the closing seconds via a Thierry Small cross, but a poor finish ensured Everton went into the break with their narrow advantage intact. Everton held a 1–0 lead over Preston at half-time after a dominant opening 45 minutes defined by sustained pressure and tactical control. The win was secured in the second half, with Barry scoring his second goal from a rebound before completing his hat-trick via a Brennan Johnson assist. Despite a notable overhead kick attempt from Preston, Everton’s defense, led by James Tarkowski and Jordan Pickford, maintained a clean sheet. Brennan Johnson added a fourth goal, and the introduction of substitutes allowed Everton to comfortably close out the 4-0 win. The victory may have been against lower opposition but too often we have slipped up in games like this one. It was another strong all-around team performance. For their efforts, Everton were drawn against Wolves at home in the next round. Everton’s Man of the Match Thierno Barry - Before this match, Everton’s last hat-trick was scored by Dominic Calvert-Lewin against West Bromwich Albion in September 2020. The three goals and assist from Thierno Barry was by far his best performance in an Everton shirt. When he was withdrawn in the 80th minute, he soaked in the adulation of the Everton fans. Four goals in two games…….perfect! Instant Reaction A great win on a great night that keeps the momentum going. Thierno Barry had a break out performance and it was an all round team effort. The goals scored were stitched together by the team and the final touch was there each and every time. It was nice to see Garner get some minutes although his play was more reserved than the rested Hayden Hackney. The first goal by Barry was a very good team goal. The vision and execution of Dewsbury-Hall to get the ball over the Preston backline was superb. It was great to see Mykolenko on his bike running into the space and his one time pass made it easy for Barry who needed to make contact. That was just the first of many, but what was clear was the lovely interplay in the buildup to the goals. I am not sure what is going on with David Moyes these days. First, Angus Kinnear speaks to the media about the importance of a cup run for Everton and the fans. Moyes then speaks to the media and does not, in my opinion, convince anyone that he believes cup competitions are as important as staying in the Premier League. My question to Moyes would be why are they mutually exclusive? Can we not compete in both? Everton have a squad of players who last year were unused under this manager. Is it not the job of the manager to select the team with success in all matches at the heart of the decision making? So today, Moyes fielded a strong team today and I wonder is he catering to the club or believing that the squad can compete on more than one front. We don’t have European football so let’s give it a go and win a cup!!!! Player Ratings Pickford – A quiet night but when Lang’s overhead kick headed goalward, the keeper made another superb save. Mykolenko – A nice overlapping run and great first ball into the box for the opening goal. A solid night for the left back. Keane – A potshot from 40 yards almost hit the corner flag. Did nothing else on a quiet night. Tarkowski – A couple of lax moments but it was a quiet night at the back . Rohl – Willing to break down the right but allowed Preston to get a shot away when he misplayed a long ball which went straight to the Preston winger. Moved back into the middle in the second half and continues to show his quality and value to the team. Armstrong – Did all he could to impress at his former loan club. He played the full 90 and continues to shine in the middle. Tireless running and great ball control. Garner – Didn’t drive forward quite like Hackney but minutes in the legs as he builds his fitness up. Dibling – Continued to push forward and cut into the box. Was denied a first half goal by a fine save. A goal is all the boy needs, just look at Barry. Dewsbury-Hall – A lovely ball over the top to Mykolenko for the first goal. Ndiaye – Everton’s bright spark from the start. He may not have scored but he was constantly causing chaos. Barry – Three goals and an assist. Great finishing and the weight that he carries seemed lighter. Biggest smile as he took the match ball off the referee at the end. Most Popular - Everton drawn against Wolves in Carabao Cup Third Round, again - Wednesday’s Everton News: Moyes talks Carabao Cup, Hackney honours - Everton at Preston: Starting Lineups, TV and Live Streams, How to Watch Online - Preston vs Everton: Carabao Cup second round preview - Thursday’s Everton News: Barry hat trick, Wolves next, Ndiaye interest, busy week ahead