Barry’s Late Equaliser Secures Everton Point Against Leeds

Key Takeaways:

• Everton drew 1-1 with Leeds at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Thierno Barry scoring the equaliser in the 76th minute last night
• James Justin put Leeds ahead in the 28th minute, netting his first Premier League goal since September 2024
• The draw leaves Everton with just four home league wins this season, intensifying fan frustration

Match Overview

Everton’s Thierno Barry continued to repay the confidence shown in him by manager David Moyes, converting an important 76th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Leeds at Hill Dickinson Stadium. His timely intervention prevented discord among home supporters, who had already expressed their dissatisfaction with boos at half-time after James Justin’s opener for the visitors.

Despite Everton’s ongoing struggles at home – with only a single win there since November and just four in total this campaign – Barry’s resurgence has been a recent highlight. The 23-year-old forward, who had found the net just once in his first 18 Premier League matches, has now scored four goals in his last five appearances, including a decisive strike at Aston Villa in the previous fixture.

The points are shared between @Everton and @LUFC 🤝 pic.twitter.com/z1xoMKrjDH

— Premier League (@premierleague) January 26, 2026

First-Half Frustrations and Leeds Take the Lead

The away side capitalised on Everton’s defensive lapse in the 28th minute, as Jayden Bogle and Anton Stach worked the ball effectively down the right flank. While former Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin narrowly missed connecting with the ensuing cross, it was Justin who arrived unmarked at the back post after Dwight McNeil lost track of his run, firing in to score his first Premier League goal since September 2024. Everton protests over a perceived foul on Iliman Ndiaye in the build-up were dismissed by the referee.

Calvert-Lewin, returning to face his former club for the first time since his summer departure, nearly extended Leeds’ advantage but saw his first-time effort hit the post from close range. For the hosts, James Garner summed up their attacking woes by slicing a left-footed strike into the side-netting.

Everton’s Tactical Response and Barry’s Impact

Faced with growing pressure from the stands, Moyes adjusted his side’s setup to a back three, introducing Jarrad Branthwaite for his first appearance since hamstring surgery, as well as fit-again Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. These changes sparked improvements, with Iliman Ndiaye’s shot blocked by Sebastiaan Bornauw and Barry forcing Leeds keeper Karl Darlow into the game’s best save up to that point.

However, Darlow was unable to deny Barry’s equaliser, as the striker expertly positioned himself ahead of Bornauw to turn in Idrissa Gueye’s cross with a close-range finish. The sense of relief around the stadium was evident, though frustration remained after Gueye’s earlier shot rebounded off the crossbar rather than nestling in the net.

Implications for Both Sides

This outcome provided little comfort for Everton fans still aggrieved by the team’s ongoing home difficulties. Meanwhile, the result was another setback for Leeds, who had aimed to preserve their advantage over relegation rivals Nottingham Forest and West Ham, each of whom secured victories over the weekend. Leeds have now lost just once in their last ten league outings but will be disappointed to have registered only three wins in that span.

Everton club captain Seamus Coleman returned to the bench for a second consecutive match, while Leeds benefited from the reintroduction of Idrissa Gueye after his success with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations. The home side’s endurance was ultimately rewarded with a point that may yet prove vital as the season progresses.