Barry goal rescues draw for Everton against Leeds
Thierno Barry continued his recent fine scoring form when he pounced to rescue a point for Everton against Leeds United at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Daniel Farke’s visitors deservedly led through James Justin’s first-half goal, with Everton receiving a furious send-off from their own supporters at the interval.
Everton manager David Moyes reacted with changes at half-time – including the re-introduction of fit-again Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – and his side responded.
Barry was unsettling Leeds, scoring the equaliser with 14 minutes left with a sharp near-post finish from Idrissa Gueye’s cross for his fourth goal in five Premier League games, following his winner at Aston Villa.
Everton welcomed back Africa Cup of Nations duo Iliman Ndiaye and Gueye after their triumphant campaign with Senegal. Still, they had no impact in a dreadful opening 45 minutes from the home team.
Leeds were in complete control, taking a deserved lead after 28 minutes, Justin arriving at the far post to score after Dominic Calvert-Lewin had failed to get a touch on Anton Stach’s cross.
Calvert-Lewin should have marked the return to his former club by doubling Leeds’ advantage shortly after, only to strike the near post from six yards when he got on the end of Jayden Bogle’s cross.
Moyes had to make some attempt to change the course of the game, doing so by introducing defender Jarrad Branthwaite this season following hamstring surgery, and Dewsbury-Hall, who had been sidelined since December with a similar injury. Harrison Armstrong and Dwight McNeil went off.
Everton improved and were finally able to test Leeds keeper Karl Darlow, who dived to his right to save Barry’s effort.
Barry had been tireless once more and got his reward with 14 minutes left, pouncing at the near post to turn Gueye’s cross high past Darlow.
With Leeds suddenly rocking, Gueye then struck the bar with Darlow beaten.
Everton pressed for a winner, but Leeds survived with few more alarms for a well-merited point.
Everton analysis: Toffees struggle for home comforts
Everton have moved from historic Goodison Park to their superb new home on the banks of the River Mersey, but this latest indifferent performance was further evidence that it has not been a smooth transition.
They have now lost four, won four and drawn four of 12 league games at Hill Dickinson Stadium, and for a long time this looked like being another damaging loss when they had the opportunity to move into serious European contention with victory.
Everton, to be brutal, were a ponderous mess in the opening half, a message loudly conveyed to them by the home fans at the break.
Branthwaite and Dewsbury-Hall offered drive and creation when they came on, without Leeds ever coming under siege, so it was left to Barry to strike again and at least scramble a point for Everton.
The 23-year-old French striker is raw to say the least, but his attitude cannot be faulted and he is now adding goals to his game, which Moyes and Everton will be grateful for.
This, however, was a chance missed for the Blues to chalk up an important win at their new home.
Leeds will feel a real sense of frustration at conceding a late equaliser when they looked the better side for so long.
Farke’s team were vibrant in the first half, the crucial moment coming when Calvert-Lewin wasted a huge chance to punish his former club by hitting the post from close range, which would have put Leeds 2-0 up.
Brenden Aaronson, in particular, ran Everton ragged and Leeds will know they should have had this one wrapped up – only to leave the door open after dominating.
This was, however, another sign of how much Leeds have improved under Farke as they have established a six-point cushion from the relegation places.
And to underline their revival, no side has lost fewer league games since the start of December than Leeds (one), while only Aston Villa (22), Manchester City (21), Arsenal (20), Manchester United and Fulham (both 17) have collected more points in that time than their 15.
Leeds, though, will justifiably believe this should have been three points rather than one.
What’s next for these teams?
Everton are next in action on Saturday, 31 January, when they visit 12th-placed Brighton in the Premier League (15:00 GMT).
Leeds kick off at the same time against Premier League leaders Arsenal at Elland Road.
