Everton vs Leeds United Player Ratings: Thierno Barry continues rich scoring form

Everton’s winless streak at Hill Dickinson Stadium continued with a 1-1 draw against Leeds United on Monday night.

Thierno Barry scored his fourth goal in his last five league games to rescue a point for the Blues after James Justin scored the opener for Daniel Farke’s side in the first half. Everton continue to be 10th in the league table, five points away from the top four.

Although the hosts began on a strong note, it was Leeds United that dominated the first half. Former Toffee Dominic Calvert-Lewin had an early chance but his effort was saved by Jordan Pickford. The visitors got their breakthrough when Anton Stach’s low cross from the left was met by Justin at the back post at the 28th-minute mark. Calvert-Lewin then struck the post from Jayden Bogle’s cross.

Following the tepid first half, David Moyes brought on Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jarrad Branthwaite at half-time. Both players were returning from long injury layoffs. The Blues began finding more joy after switching to a wing-back formation and Iliman Ndiaye had his shot blocked in the box.

Barry scored the equaliser after capitalising on Idrissa Gana Gueye’s low cross from the left. The latter came agonisingly close to scoring the winner but his shot bounced off the crossbar.

Here are Everton’s player ratings in the 1-1 draw with Leeds United:

Jordan Pickford: 7

Made himself big to thwart Dominic Calvert-Lewin from finding the back of the net early in the contest. There was little he could do about James Justin’s goal though.

Nathan Patterson (replaced by Tyler Dibling at 71’): 5.5

Patterson did alright and produced some decent interceptions. Leeds were overloading on his side and he didn’t really get a lot of help on occasions. Was replaced by Tyler Dibling in the 71st minute.

James Tarkowski: 6

Tarkowski could’ve probably done better on a couple of occasions when he let Calvert-Lewin get in front of him easily in the first half. However, he had a much better second half and held his ground against his former teammate.

Jake O’Brien: 6

Had strong defensive numbers in the first half, moved to right-back when Jarrad Branthwaite came on after the break.

Vitalii Mykolenko: 4.5

It was a poor outing from the Ukrainian as several of Leeds United’s breaks came from his flank. He was run ragged by Jayden Bogle and his contribution in possession still remains dreadful. Wonder what Adam Aznou has to do to get his chance.

Idrissa Gana Gueye: 7

Having led his country to AFCON glory last weekend, Gana was also instrumental in securing a point for his side. He provided the excellent cross that was converted by Barry and Gana also struck the crossbar just two minutes later.

Besides the goal contributions, Gana did look off the pace a bit, especially in the first half but that’s expected after the gruelling schedule he has had in recent weeks.

James Garner: 6.5

Garner was unusually quiet in the first half and unable to dictate proceedings in midfield. Improved as Everton gained control after the break.

Harrison Armstrong (replaced by Jarrad Branthwaite at half time): 5

Armstrong seemed like a peripheral figure for large parts of the first half and failed to have the kind of influence he has had in recent games, particularly at Villa Park. Was taken off at half-time.

Dwight McNeil (replaced by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall at half time): 4

Had 12 touches of the ball in the first half and was barely involved in the game. Failed to track the run of James Justin for Leeds’ opener and was sluggish in possession. Didn’t give Patterson enough protection defensively and offered very little in the final third.

Thierno Barry (replaced by Beto at 89’): 7

After a woeful first half, Thierno Barry came alive after the break. The French striker forced a good save off Karl Darlow with a clever outside-the-boot shot. He kept plugging away at the Leeds backline and his persistence paid off as he struck the roof of the net with a composed finish from Gana’s cross. It was his fourth goal from his last five league games and after a quiet start to life on Merseyside, he seems to be finding his confidence.

Iliman Ndiaye: 6

With Jack Grealish out injured, Ndiaye was thrust into the left flank, where he operated for most of last season. While he did well, the Senegalese missed that extra bit of quality and flair that he usually possesses. Had a couple of shots blocked in the second half.

Substitutions

Jarrad Branthwaite: 7

It takes a certain pedigree of a footballer to suffer devastating injuries, miss the entire first half of the season and still come on and look like you’ve been playing for months. Even outside his defensive contributions, he brings so much in possession. Branthwaite was comfortable carrying the ball and also broke defensive lines at ease with his passes.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: 7

Also making his return from a hamstring injury, Dewsbury-Hall looked involved and operated well in tight spaces. He provided impetus in the final and contributed to the build-up to Barry’s goal.

Tyler Dibling: 5.5

Passed up a late opportunity to shoot with his weak foot. While he was full of tricks and turns, Dibling needs more composure and better decision-making in the final third.

Beto: N/A

Reader Comments (46)

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Bobby Mallon 1 Posted 27/01/2026 at 09:18:54

I'm going to give Moyes full credit for changing the formation for the second half and bringing the subs on.

But I think he should have done it in the first half and changed it. I don't think we were getting a draw if Calvert-Lewin's effort goes in. (It didn't -- I know!)

Jon Harding 2 Posted 27/01/2026 at 09:21:28

Give it up with the half marks, would you!

McNeil lucky to get 4. He should either play on the left or not at all. C'mon Moyesy, we all know that.

And absolute priority signings are two new full-backs, even ahead of a striker.

Good to see some of the lads back from injury. Feeling optimistic for a change. UTT

Mike Walker 3 Posted 27/01/2026 at 09:30:13

First half we were bad... second half better...

But why are we not signing new players? Is there a bigger problem we do not know??? Mmmm... makes you wonder!!!

George Cumiskey 4 Posted 27/01/2026 at 10:17:23

I thought 5.5 was a little high for Dibling. He was shocking.

He never crossed one ball into the box and just kept running into a brick wall.

John Williams 5 Posted 27/01/2026 at 10:31:52

Everton are a Jekyll & Hyde side, one week good, next week bad.

I was surprised Branthwaite and Dewsbury-Hall ended up playing as I am sure they are not fully fit, but needs must.Hopefully, we can have a near full squad available now and be more consistent.

Paul Murray 6 Posted 27/01/2026 at 10:42:11

How about the manager's marks? First half: 0. Second half: 6.

Why take Patterson off? An attacking full-back in a 3 at back, and leave Ukraine's finest on. The game was screaming for Aznou to come on in that system.

Moyes has done exactly what we needed when he came in and there's no doubt we have improved from previous seasons but if we want to keep kicking on we need a fresh young ambitious manager who actually tries to win games.

One name: Fabregas.

James Fletcher 8 Posted 27/01/2026 at 11:02:54

Got to say some these ratings are terrible.

I thought Patterson did pretty well and, if he'd not had the gaping hole that is Dwight McNeil ahead of him, he'd have been able to get forward pretty well. I'd be keen to see what happens with Patterson if he has an actual winger ahead of him.

Dave Lynch 9 Posted 27/01/2026 at 11:33:34

Aznou looked more than useful in his cameo appearance the other week.

But as is the norm, Dour Davey goes with his safety-first favourites. I can't wait to see the back of him.

Derek Taylor 10 Posted 27/01/2026 at 12:26:41

Not surprised how you feel, Dave !. JUst think how well all those managers who followed him performed. But bow to your superior knowledge- you should have got the job !

Dave Lynch 11 Posted 27/01/2026 at 12:55:09

Don't be fucking facetious, Derek!

He did next to fuck all in the time he was with us first time around. I didn't employ the wasters when he went and also didn't sack the best of the bunch (Silva).

If you're happy with Moyes, then you get what you deserve: boring safety-first football and the guaranteed early cup exits.

I want a bit better than that but hey... let's crack on and pretend all is rosey and Moyesy is doing a great job, shall we?

George Cumiskey 12 Posted 27/01/2026 at 12:57:12

Paul at 6 spot on mate 👌

Mike Powell 13 Posted 27/01/2026 at 13:00:55

Got to give Moyes credit for changing it at half-time... but he could've done it after 15 minutes, because we were awful in first half.

Mykolenko has got to be the worst left-back in the Premier League, it pisses me off that, every time we break and he gets the ball, it goes backwards or sideways. I don't want to see him at Everton next season.

Neil Cremin 14 Posted 27/01/2026 at 13:10:40

Wow, Dave.

I take it you don't like Moyes and want to change manager. You mentioned Silva, has he won anything?

To give Moyes credit, he won a European title and has stabilised us for this and last season. I for one am delighted not to be looking with trepidation at fixtures ahead, worrying where we can get the points to be safe.

As for call to play Aznou, I was at the Sunderland game and he did bring a bit of urgency to the game but I also suspect that he would lose the ball easily as he did when he won the penalty and I certainly don't know if he can defend. I certainly wouldn't pick him from the start but would like to see what he can do if we are prepared to risk losing games.

Kevin Molloy 15 Posted 27/01/2026 at 13:24:18

We've got the best away record in the league since he took over, Dave. Were you expecting more when he took over our relegation dogfight?

And we've already beaten Fulham the last two times we played them. Once we get our seven injured players back, no doubt we will ease past them in the table.

Dave Lynch 16 Posted 27/01/2026 at 13:32:51

Neil... it was the "you should've got the job" childish statement that got me.

No, I don't like Moyes... never have, never will. He's a journeyman and his record proves that. As for Silva, I feel that, if given the money other managers were given when he was sacked, we would be in a much better place.

I'm fed up to the back teeth of relegation scraps, bail out managers and a "safe pairs of hands". I'd like some hope, entertaining football, and the possibility of winning a trophy for my near 800-quid season ticket.

I'm fed up with having to accept mediocrity and being told I should be thankful for it.

Les Callan 17 Posted 27/01/2026 at 14:03:26

Me too Dave. Well said.

Bill Gall 18 Posted 27/01/2026 at 14:08:51

A decent team is there when we do not have so many injuries, but I believe that David Moyes underestimated Leeds, who have been playing good football in the last number of weeks. Their weakness was shown up in the second half when they were put under pressure.

Yes Everton played well in the second half with changes, but the game is for 90 minutes and they were fortunate to be only 1 goal down at half-time.

As a manager, you have to be prepared from the start and not after 45 minutes. The standard in the second half showed a lot of improvement and got the draw, but I believe that the 3 points for a win was neglected by poor planning and set-up.

Everton have to improve in this transfer window and strengthen both full-back positions, it is a priority as most goals against us seem to start from the opposition's wingers.Let's see if our scouts can come up with some better full-backs than what we have.

Mick O\'Malley 19 Posted 27/01/2026 at 14:28:33

Dave @16, Absolutely spot on. It's not cheap going the game now, in fact it's an expensive day out, and if just being a part of the Premier League is all you'll get for your time, money and support, more fans are gonna say "Is it worth it?"

The two cup defeats this season have really pissed me off, the luck of the draw can take you a long way but as usual we capitulate at the earliest opportunity... 31 years and counting, for fuck's sake!

Jason Hewly 20 Posted 27/01/2026 at 14:40:14

Yeah, like a few people on here, I'm mystified as to why Moyes hasn't turned us into Real Madrid. He's had almost a year.

And everyone knows Aznou is the reincarnation of Dennis Irwin.

Christy Ring 22 Posted 27/01/2026 at 15:21:14

Delighted to see Branthwaite and Dewsbury-Hall in the 2nd half.

McNeil was so poor, but why did Moyes not just play him on the left, his normal position, and Ndiaye on the right, where he always played?

Les Callan 23 Posted 27/01/2026 at 15:34:34

Jason @20. Not Real Madrid, but at least Brighton, Brentford or Aston Villa.

John Collins 24 Posted 27/01/2026 at 15:43:55

Does anyone know where the final of The We Are Not Going Down competition is being held this season?

Jason Hewly 25 Posted 27/01/2026 at 15:48:33

Les, 23, we're on the same points as Brentford and 3 points ahead of Brighton. Villa lucked out with an available top-notch manager who some on here called the Spanish Moyes a few years ago, and the emerging talent of Rogers. Plus they already had a good squad.

On the other hand, we were circling the plughole until Moyes came back. He's not perfect, nobody is, but being able to grind out a result is something we haven't been able to do for a few seasons.

Chris Jones (Burton on Trent) 26 Posted 27/01/2026 at 15:50:39

I'm really warming to Barry; the lad is a trier.

Several home games ago, he fell heavily on his left shoulder when high up on the left side of the pitch (close to my spot in the South Stand, near the corner flag') and it was apparent he'd been having problems then because with his shirt was off, while being attended to by the physios, you could see there was already a lot of tape on his shoulder/upper arm.

Last night, during shooting practice in the warm up, he shot at goal and immediately afterwards crouched down in some pain for quite a while, clutching the same shoulder (this very close to and in front of Alan Irving). After a while, he carried on, and of course took to the pitch when the teams later came out for the kick off.

During the first half, he was barged by one of the Leeds centre-backs and went down holding his shoulder, and the physios came on. The fact that he continued, after the obligatory 30 seconds off the pitch when the game restarted, suggested the club knows he's struggling, but has stayed quiet so as not to alert opposition yard-dogs from targeting him.

Anyway, and somewhat to my and my brother's surprise, he came out for the second half -- and boy weren't we glad he did. As well as scoring he'd earlier drawn a fine save from the Leeds keeper. Keep going lad; UTFT!

Ray Jacques 27 Posted 27/01/2026 at 15:59:20

Did they forget the minus sign in front of the 4 awarded to McNeil?

Dave Lynch 28 Posted 27/01/2026 at 16:05:31

HDS John...

It's been moved from Goodison, it's spiritual home for the last god knows how long.

Bill Hawker 29 Posted 27/01/2026 at 17:31:52

McNeil couldn't be any higher than a two. He was that dreadful. I can't imagine we'll see much of him anymore other than the occasional appearance off the bench. I feel for him as he's been a good contributor in the past but he's really never been the same after the injury he had last year.

If we have the opportunity to sell him to a Championship team, I think we'd have to take it.

Tom Brown 30 Posted 27/01/2026 at 17:33:38

A team needs balance. Yes, I get why we'll ass it up to one corner of the oppo pen area then pass it all the way back to defence then all the way to the other corner of the oppo pen area then repeat... but someone, at some, point, has to take a risk and actually pick a pass, take a shot or take on a player, take a risk that it actually doesn't wok that time, and you lose the ball. Without taking risks, you never get anywhere. Last night, there weren't enough players willing to take a risk. So I dispute the Dibling reviews. He isn't on the pitch just to play it safe, he's on the pitch to try and make something happen, which is what he did. More than most of our midfielders, he actually tried to make something happen. Ok, it didn't come off, but that is fine, at least he tried. Goal scorers can't score without shooting, and most of their shots won't go in. Wingers won't create goals without taking risks, and most of the time it won't come off. If you are going to slate people for trying when it doesn't work Well your wishing for 100% safety-first football. No thanks!

Tom Brown 31 Posted 27/01/2026 at 17:34:43

edit button not working - pass not ass. Ha ha ha

Les Callan 32 Posted 27/01/2026 at 19:44:18

Jason @25. You are missing the point. I want to see us playing fast entertaining exciting football. Is it any wonder the stadium is dead. We play dead football.

David West 33 Posted 27/01/2026 at 19:58:21

I do think it could have been very different without the changes at half time, seen what Newcastle, spurs & Brentford have done to us, so Moyes deserved a bit of credit.

We can all say it with hindsight, shouldn't have played this player or that player, but most would have expected that line-up, with only really Rohl maybe, the players on the bench were a bonus.

Like to see rohl, Garner & KDH in the middle, Rohl was good against villa.

I'd play Dibbling left, Ndiaye right, get some crosses and service to Barry with Rohl &KDH arriving late.

Oliver Molloy 34 Posted 27/01/2026 at 20:48:10

Dibling has to be told he doesn't have to try and beat the opponent two or three times - stop the messing and just get the fucking ball in the box and see what happens !

He had a big scowl on his face when Dewsbury Hall had a word with him after setting him up for the shot. hope he learns quick !

Paul Griffiths 35 Posted 27/01/2026 at 22:50:24

In which real world does Gana get 7? He was awful and should have been subbed at HT with the waste of space McNeil. Don’t be blinded by an assist and a shot that hit the bar when we really needed it to go in the net.

Pickford 7.0: Patterson 7.0: Tarkowski 5.5: O’Brien 6.0 (moved to right-back when Jarrad Branthwaite came on after the break. No he didn’t): Mykolenko 4.8 (Right-back? And we need a new left-back desperately like, erm, Justin): Gana 5.0: Garner 5.5: Armstrong 4.0 (sadly): McNeil 1.6893470356: Barry 7.0: Ndiaye 5.5 (should have been subbed): Branthwaite 6.0: Dewsbury-Hall 6.3: Dibling 5.6: Beto whatever.

Dave L (16): agree with every word of your post.

Anjishnu, you keep promising to sort the edit button out for us. Can you please do it. It’s beyond a joke now. How many weeks ago was it when you told us that you would contact the ‘tech’ crew?

Neil Cremin 36 Posted 27/01/2026 at 23:00:53

Dave @16

One could also say that had Moyes been given the money to buy players he could have achieved success. After all with limited resources he got us CL qualification only to be hijacked by a dodgy referee decision

The facts are we will never know what could have been. All we know is the here and now and every manager in the last few years have been given money and we have got worse. Kneejerk management of our club. Now that TFG have taken over, the first priority was to stop this annual relegation battle. The next priority is to start building a team and identify a manager to fulfill the football we all would love to see. That however requires a lot of care getting in the quality players we need and a manager to get the best out of them. But be very careful is selecting our next manager. Some names preferred to Moyes in the past included Potter, Frank, Nuno, Postecoglu, Maresca and we all know how they got on trying to manage at a bio club.

Anthony Dwyer 37 Posted 27/01/2026 at 23:13:22

George 4.

Completely agree, Dibling was awful, is awful, looks a lot like more of our money sponked.

5.5, pff I'd have gone with a 3 max.

The kid needs sending back for a refund ASAP.

Mcneils time is up at us, he's the most uninterested player at the club, probably in the whole league, has done a job in the past, but not any more, his times up, cash in now.

Beto us another one, Patterson too, cash in within the next day or so and try our hands with anything else, just don't tie any more bang average players down to long term deals.

A right back with pace and crossing ability, a forward with different attributes/profile to Barry, Beto, DCL etc, someone who can play in more than just the 9, ideally the 10 and either wing.

The players are out there, Brentford, Brighton, Bournemouth etc don't struggle to find them, we need the last few days of this window to be useful and the summer window to be nailed.

Paul Griffiths 38 Posted 27/01/2026 at 23:23:41

Les (32): ‘We play dead football’.

I couldn’t get T.S. Elliot out of my mind reading this Les:

‘ We are the hollow men / We are the stuffed men [ … ] Shape without form, shade without colour. Paralysed force, gesture without motion;’

I detest this sideways-backwards- backwards-three foot up the pitch-sideways shite that tortures my eyes and sense of what football can be (‘The eyes are not here / There are no eyes here’). No fecking wonder players have north of 80% pass completion rates: ‘Gana gives it to Garner three-foot away who rolls it back to Tarkowski who feeds O’Brien who feeds Gana who squares it to Garner who goes back to Tarkowski who plays it back to Pickford who plays it to Mykelenko (and so on and so on until) back to the safe feet of Pickford once again. I counted 44 consecutive Everton passes there Ally. They know how to hold onto the ball'.

It can be soul-destroying Les.

No wonder the crowd gets restless. No wonder they hum and murmur impatience. No wonder they boo at half-time.

They are not idiots.

Anthony Dwyer 39 Posted 27/01/2026 at 23:24:05

Les 23 (and other comments)

Couldn't agree more mate, football at Hill Dicko has been awful, need to try something different, much faster and more dynamic as what we've seen up to now is shite.

Only game I can recall feeling good about is the Palace game, and had Mateta taken either of his 2 huge chances and we wouldn't have got nothing from that game.

Paul Griffiths 40 Posted 28/01/2026 at 00:21:54

David W 33: ‘most would have expected that line-up, with only really Rohl maybe’,

‘Most’ did not want to see McNeil anywhere near the pitch David. Only one poster thought that playing HA behind Barry was ‘awesome’, and he, needless to say, got it completely wrong.

‘I'd play Dibbling left, Ndiaye right’.

Why switch the so far ineffective Dibling to move Ndiaye from his preferred wing?

Dave Lynch 41 Posted 28/01/2026 at 00:37:18

Neil@36

Moyes was given money at Utd and still served up dross according to Utd fans who couldn't wait to see the back of him.

As have every fan base from every team he has managed.

Si Cooper 42 Posted 28/01/2026 at 01:33:59

John (5), we are Jekyll and Hyde pretty much every game; we’ve been lucky some games, unlucky others, and sometimes got what we deserved overall. When we win many people only remember the good bits, when we lose plenty will obsess on the bad, and draws get the ‘we were lucky’ /‘we were robbed’ verdict depending on any big moments in the game.

I don’t understand why you are ‘sure’ Branthwaite and Dewsbury-Hall are still far off being match fit; if they were they shouldn’t make the bench. Both looked plenty fit enough to me for 45 minutes at least, and I am thrilled they came on because they made a massive difference.

Paul (6), I don’t think they’d consider it as a choice between leaving Patterson or Mykolenko on, more whether it was going to be Dibling or Aznou. Once they decided on Dibling (on the right) then Patterson was the obvious sacrificial choice. Patterson has done okay recently but I don’t think he has transformed our attacking threat on the right, and the back three of O’Brien! Tarkowski and Branthwaite looked to have everything under control in the second half up to a frantic last 5 minutes.

Paul Griffiths 43 Posted 28/01/2026 at 07:40:18

Another hair-pulling red card yesterday, Huddersfield/Luton, 1:18.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRpcqHiMLso

Paul Griffiths 44 Posted 28/01/2026 at 07:46:00

Ryan Ledson - Huddersfield's skipper - scored a fantastic goal in the same match after his mate got the red.

John Williams 45 Posted 28/01/2026 at 09:57:23

Dave 41,

So all the other managers that passed through Man Utd since Moyes

have received the same treatment from the fans.

Never ever, take advice from a football fan, 99% have nt a clue about how a club is run and the ability dealing with players.

Trevor Powell 46 Posted 28/01/2026 at 10:24:33

Thierno Barry seems have got the goal scoring monkey off his back BUT when is he going to get his head into scoring form!

Dave Lynch 47 Posted 28/01/2026 at 11:01:38

John@45.

We're not talking about other managers though are we, we're talking about Moyes.

But seeing as you.pointed it out, all those other managers were very successful outside of Utd and other than Moyes, that's why they where appointed.

Moyes was appointed with the caveat that he was never given the money to build a successful team, he was at Utd and still failed, despite having inherited some exceptional talent, some aging players as well I'll grant you.

His personality and integrity hit a new low for me when asked in a Sky interview what it meant to be manager of Utd, his reply..." it means I can go out and try to win football matches".

The man has more faces than the town hall clock imo. I'll admit he's a safe pair of hands but that is all he is.

Remember that league cup semi against Chelsea? We'd done the hard work at The Bridge and came away with a 2-2 draw if memory serves me right, they came yo Goodison and Moyes went 5,4,1 and they dominated the game.