Barry Hits Double As Everton Win Moyes' Landmark Match

Thierno Barry scored two and created the other as Everton made it three wins on the spin to beat Coventry 3-1 in David Moyes' record-equalling match as Blues manager.

The Toffees had to recover from Yann Gboho's 52nd-minute opener as Barry headed home Vitalii Mykolenko's cross four minutes later, before taking his goal tally to 10 for  the season when he bundled in Tyrique George's centre just past the hour mark.

Three points – which lifted Everton into fifth place in the Premier League table ahead of this weekend's round of matches – were then secured against Frank Lampard's top-flight newcomers nine minutes from time when Barry slid in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to blast past Carl Rushworth.

That ensured the Blues went into the upcoming international break buoyant as Moyes tasted victory in his 592nd match in charge of the Club, levelling the previous record set by Harry Catterick.

Moyes made one change from the team that triumphed 1-0 at Newcastle four days earlier, Tyler Dibling getting the nod at right wing as Merlin Röhl dropped to right-back in place of Jake O'Brien.

After a bright opening from the visitors, Everton soon found a foothold in the game to carve out three opportunities in quick succession. A slick one-two between George and Dewsbury-Hall on nine minutes – that started with a lovely backheel from the winger – allowed George to play Barry through on the right side of the penalty area. The Frenchman did not get the ball set with his first touch, however, as he was pushed wide and unable to get a clean strike on goal.

Seconds later, Coventry made a hash of a defensive clearance, allowing Mykolenko – still up from the previous attack – a sight at goal as he drove into the arms of keeper Carl Rushworth from just inside the area.

The best chance so far soon followed as Branthwaite won a recycled header from Dewsbury-Hall's free-kick, leading to a scramble in the box involving Barry and Armstrong that ended with the Academy graduate trying to nod home his maiden Blues goal before Coventry cleared.

Everton couldn't build on that momentum, though, and Coventry were the next to threaten as the first half wore on, Pickford needing to save Sakamoto's shot with his legs after the Japanese winger had been slid through, before Jack Rudoni whistled a low angled drive inches beyond the left-hand post.

The Blues could count themselves fortunate not to go in behind at half-time but it wasn't long before Coventry were in front after the restart. 

Lampard's side were allowed too much space to move in from the right channel as Gboho played a one-two with Sakamoto and knocked a close-range effort through Branthwaite's legs and past Pickford.

It left Everton needing a strong response – and they duly delivered with a quickfire double from that man Barry.

Just four minutes after Coventry's opener, the striker got on the end of Mykolenko's pinpoint left-wing cross to nod into the bottom right-hand corner.

And Barry made it double figures for the season just after the hour mark as George turned provider from the left flank this time, floating a ball to the back post for the Frenchman to somehow squeeze over the line off his midriff.

Barry may have been making headlines for his goalscoring this season but he showed the quality in his all-round game to make a fine Everton turnaround complete with nine minutes to go. 

Collecting possession just inside Coventry's half, he spun and threaded a beauty of a through ball down the left channel for Dewsbury-Hall to chase. There was still plenty of work for the Toffees' No.8 to do but Dewsbury-Hall – so unlucky not to make the England squad announced earlier in the day – took his chance to smash a fierce finish past Rushworth at his near post.