Barry Rescues Everton as Leeds Hold On for Point

Striker’s late goal spares Toffees further home frustration

Everton striker Thierno Barry continued his impressive resurgence by scoring a late equaliser in a tense 1–1 draw with Leeds United at Hill Dickinson Stadium, easing mounting pressure on manager David Moyes.

The home crowd’s displeasure was clear at half-time after James Justin’s opener had Leeds ahead, with boos echoing around the stadium following another underwhelming Everton display. But Barry, once again trusted by Moyes despite the situation deteriorating, stepped up to prevent what could have been an ugly afternoon.

Having failed to score in his first 18 Premier League appearances, the 23-year-old has now netted four times in his last five matches, including last week’s winner at Aston Villa.

Leeds strike first as Everton struggle

Everton nearly found an early breakthrough when Idrissa Gueye’s long-range effort crashed against the crossbar, but it was Leeds who took the lead in the 28th minute.

Jayden Bogle and Anton Stach combined effectively down the right — a consistent weakness for Everton in the first half — and although former Toffees striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin could not reach the cross, Justin arrived unmarked at the far post to blast home after Dwight McNeil failed to track his run.

Everton appeals for a foul on Iliman Ndiaye earlier in the move were waved away, and the frustration quickly grew. Calvert-Lewin then came agonisingly close to haunting his former club when his first-time effort struck the post from close range.

James Garner’s sliced attempt into the side-netting summed up Everton’s first-half response, and the half-time jeers followed soon after.

Moyes’ faith rewarded late on

Moyes reacted by switching to a back three after the break, handing Jarrad Branthwaite his first appearance of the season following hamstring surgery, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall replaced McNeil.

The change sparked improvement. Ndiaye saw an effort blocked by Sebastiaan Bornauw, Barry forced an excellent save from Karl Darlow and Everton began to apply sustained pressure.

That pressure finally told in the 76th minute. Gueye swung in a cross from the right and Barry showed sharp movement to dart in front of Bornauw and clip a finish into the roof of the net, releasing the tension around the stadium.

Everton pushed for a winner but had to settle for a point — their struggles at home continuing, with just one league win there since November.

For Leeds, the draw was a missed opportunity to pull further clear of relegation rivals Nottingham Forest and West Ham, both of whom won over the weekend.