Thierno Barry’s metamorphosis from a struggling arrival into one of the Premier League’s most lethal finishers reached a spectacular crescendo on Monday night as Everton secured a hard-fought, and controversial, victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
The 24-year-old Frenchman, who endured a grueling debut season at Goodison Park, has now matched his entire output from the previous campaign—eight goals in 41 appearances—in just 12 matches this term. His strike on Tyneside, his second against the Magpies in less than a week, underlined his newfound clinical edge. Only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, with 13, has found the net more often across all competitions than the Toffees’ frontman.
For those who witnessed Barry’s tentative start in England, where he managed just a single shot in his first 16 Everton outings, this form is nothing short of miraculous. Last month, the striker offered a rare glimpse into the psychological toll of his slow start, sharing a video of himself visibly breaking down during an emotional private training session.
On Monday, however, the shadows of the past were replaced by the rhythm of a man in peak condition. After finding the back of the net, Barry launched into an exuberant celebration, transitioning from a smooth knee slide into a choreographed dance—a display of confidence that mirrored his current standing as Everton’s indispensable talisman. Following Beto’s summer departure to Fiorentina, the pressure on Barry to lead the line alone has been immense, yet he has shouldered the burden with remarkable composure.
“I was working a lot during the summer and now we can see the result,” a beaming Barry told Sky Sports after the match. “The season is long, but I’m happy to help the team. I want to enjoy myself more than last season, and I enjoyed my celebration, so I am happy.”
His resurgence is a vindication of the £27m fee Everton paid Villarreal last summer. A lifelong fan of the club who grew up idolizing Wayne Rooney and Romelu Lukaku, Barry is now etching his own name into the Goodison folklore.
The victory, however, was not without dispute. Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle was left fuming at the officiating, specifically regarding the build-up to Barry’s deciding goal. “There was a clear foul on Fabian Schar,” Jaissle told BBC Sport, refusing to hide his frustration with the decision to allow the play to continue.
Despite the controversy, the narrative of the night remained fixed on Barry’s incredible trajectory. Once a figure of frustration for the Goodison faithful, the forward has evolved into the league’s most improved player. If this current form persists, the young Frenchman may well be the architect of a special season for the Toffees.
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