PREMIER LEAGUE
BARRY DOUBLE LIFTS MOYES INTO THE TOP FIVE
Everton 3, Coventry 1. Everton: Thierno Barry 56, 61, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 81; Coventry: Yann Gboho 52. Gboho's poke put Coventry ahead on Lampard's return. Thierno Barry struck twice in five minutes, then teed up Dewsbury-Hall, as the boss equalled Catterick's 592-game record
In front of 52,395 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Thierno Barry scored twice as Everton came from behind to beat Coventry 3-1 on the night David Moyes equalled Harry Catterick's club record of 592 games in charge. Frank Lampard's return to Merseyside ended in defeat, and the Toffees moved into fifth.
It was goalless at the break. Coventry had been competitive, and Jordan Pickford had already saved from Tatsuhiro Sakamoto before Jack Rudoni drilled wide. The visitors also felt they should have had a penalty when James Tarkowski tugged Caleb Yirenkyi's hair. Stuart Attwell and VAR decided it lacked the force for a foul.
Seven minutes into the second half, Yann Gboho, surrounded by three Everton defenders, poked Coventry into the lead. The Sky Blues had earned it. Five minutes later the game flipped. Vitalii Mykolenko's cross found Barry, and the striker headed Everton level. Before Coventry could settle, Barry had bundled in a second from close range. Two goals in five minutes, and the Hill Dickinson was bouncing.
“I wasn't quite so sure about a good performance. We got a performance, and we got a result, but I have to say Coventry made it really difficult for us. It was good, but in the end, we got the goals which mattered and when you win in the Premier League you take it because it is so hard to get the wins.” – David Moyes, Everton manager, speaking to BBC Match of the Day, via BBC Sport
“A lot of good stuff in the way we played, which makes it really difficult to lose the game. Big decisions affected the game, clearly. We have to keep working. I'm seeing progression in the team. We have to work hard. There is a good spirit with us and we have to keep improving.” – Frank Lampard, Coventry manager, speaking to BBC Match of the Day, via BBC Sport
With nine minutes left, Barry played Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall through. He took a touch and, from a tight angle, somehow beat Carl Rushworth at his near post. Only place he could have put it. A VAR check for offside came and went: Dewsbury-Hall was clearly on. Two goals and an assist for Barry; three points and a place in the top five for Moyes.
Coventry will have grumbles about the decisions that went against them. Lampard's side had impressed before the break and for a stretch after it. Once Barry struck twice, though, the night belonged to Everton. The Scot walked onto the pitch at the whistle to congratulate his players, including the two-goal striker who has now scored 10 times in 13 appearances this season.
Where it leaves them: Everton 5th on 16 points; Coventry 16th on 9 points. Everton climb to fifth on 16 points after 10 games. Coventry stay 16th on nine, still three wins in five after their opening four defeats without a goal. Barry now has 10 in 13 in all competitions this season, six of them in the Premier League.