Barry heroics see Everton comeback and move up

WATCH Everton in the 26/27 Carabao Cup, & FA Cup in NZ, LIVE on beIN SPORTS | Sign up TODAY!! | AU | NZ

The game was a notable one for David Moyes, whose 592nd match in charge of the Toffees saw him match Harry Catterick's club-record.

It looked as though the occasion may be soured when Yann Gboho's clever finish put Coventry ahead shortly after half-time, but Barry popped up with two goals in the space of five minutes to change the mood on Merseyside.

The Frenchman also provided the pass that led to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's 81st-minute clincher, with back-to-back Premier League wins giving Everton all the smiles ahead of the international break.

Everton started the brighter of the two teams, with a handball decision against Barry bringing an end to a 15th-minute scramble in which Carl Rushworth had thwarted Harrison Armstrong.

But it was Coventry that got on top as the first half went on with its clearest chance falling to Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, although he blasted his shot straight at Jordan Pickford from close range.

Jack Rudoni was inches away from finding the bottom-left corner from distance, while Pickford also had to remain alert to turn Victor Torp's free-kick to safety.

A few jeers were audible from the home fans at half-time, and its frustrations grew seven minutes into the second half, when Gboho brilliantly turned away from three blue shirts inside a crowded penalty area and prodded past Pickford with the outside of his boot.

Coventry then failed to make the most of a couple of promising breaks, and Everton made it pay in the 56th minute, when Barry met Vitalii Mykolenko's cross with a powerful header that Rushworth simply could not keep out.

There was a hint of fortune and controversy about the Frenchman's second, as he failed to make proper contact with Tyrique George's cross but saw the ball skip back up off the turf and deflect off him and in, with Coventry suggesting he handled amid the melee.

Coventry failed to recapture its momentum, and Dewsbury-Hall put the game beyond the visitors with a ferocious finish late on, having been fed by Barry, who could have secured the match ball when he sent a header wide late on.

Moyes still felt there was plenty his side could have done better.

"I wasn't quite so sure about it being a good performance. We got a result, but I have to say Coventry made it really difficult for us," the Everton boss said.

"You can see why they have picked up some really good results. They won at Nottingham Forest and beat Sunderland the other week.

"They had a couple of decisions that might have gone in their favour tonight. But in the end, we got the goals that mattered, and when you win in the Premier League you have to take it, because it is so hard to get the wins."

But Moyes was delighted to see Barry continue his prolific start to the season.

"It was important that Thierno Barry got another couple of goals tonight, which was huge for us," he said.

"We've always liked him, and we want him to keep scoring. He's missed quite a few chances, but tonight he got important goals for us.

"He's becoming an important piece for us and he's got 10 goals, which is really good."

Frank Lampard was left stung by the result, and had plenty to say about the video assistant referee (VAR) after the final whistle.

The Coventry boss believed his side should have had a penalty in either half, first when James Tarkowski appeared to pull Caleb Yirenkyi's hair and then when Taiwo Awoniyi was clipped from behind by Vitalii Mykolenko.

Additionally, Barry's second goal was checked for a potential handball but swiftly cleared.

"The first-half decision on Tarkowski got checked, and seeing it back, he pulls on Caleb's hair. I thought the rules were clear," Lampard said.

"I know they've changed the rules so it's not a red card, I get that, but he’s pulling on his hair and [Yirenkyi] can't get his momentum to jump. I think it's a foul and a penalty and they decided no.

"I thought the one on Taiwo running through – it's a clear foul that the referee didn't give it. I can't believe that, because it was clear. Maybe he waited for the VAR because it was on the borderline.

"And then Barry's second goal comes off his hand. I hate to sound like a moaner. I've worked here and know how momentum can swing the games.

"When big decisions change games, it's disappointing. VAR is there for that, and it didn't do its job."