Barry Equaliser Salvages Everton Draw vs Leeds at Hill Dickinson

Key Points

• Thierno Barry scored a late equaliser for Everton, finishing sharply at the near post from Idrissa Gueye’s cross, marking his fourth goal in five Premier League games.
• Leeds United took a deserved first-half lead through James Justin’s goal after 28 minutes, arriving at the far post following Anton Stach’s cross.
• Everton were poor in the opening 45 minutes, earning a furious send-off from their home supporters at half-time.
• Everton manager David Moyes made key half-time changes, including reintroducing fit-again Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jarrad Branthwaite, who was making his first appearance this season after hamstring surgery.
• Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed a golden chance to double Leeds’ lead, striking the near post from six yards on Jayden Bogle’s cross.
• Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow made a crucial save from Barry before the equaliser, and Idrissa Gueye later struck the bar.
• Everton returned Africa Cup of Nations winners Iliman Ndiaye and Gueye, but they had little impact initially.
• The match ended 1-1 at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium on the River Mersey, where Everton have now recorded four wins, four draws, and four losses in 12 league games.
• Leeds, under Daniel Farke, showed improvement, holding a six-point cushion from relegation and boasting one of the best records since December.
• Brenden Aaronson starred for Leeds in a vibrant first-half display, running Everton ragged.

Liverpool, Hill Dickinson Stadium (The Leeds Times) January 27, 2026 – 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 unsettled Leeds throughout, scoring the equaliser with 14 minutes left via a sharp near-post finish from Idrissa Gueye’s cross, following his recent winner at Aston Villa.

What Led to Leeds United’s First-Half Dominance?

Leeds were in complete control during the opening period, taking a deserved lead after 28 minutes. As detailed in match reports, James Justin arrived at the far post to score after Dominic Calvert-Lewin failed to get a touch on Anton Stach’s cross.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, returning to face his former club, should have doubled Leeds’ advantage shortly after. He struck the near post from six yards when latching onto Jayden Bogle’s cross, a moment that could have sealed the game early.

Brenden Aaronson, in particular, ran Everton ragged with his vibrant performance. Leeds’ first-half display left the home side looking ponderous and disorganised.

How Did Everton Turn the Game Around?

Everton welcomed back Africa Cup of Nations duo Iliman Ndiaye and Gueye after their triumphant campaign with Senegal. However, they had no impact in a dreadful opening 45 minutes from the home team.

Moyes had to make changes to alter the game’s course. He introduced defender Jarrad Branthwaite for the first time this season following hamstring surgery, alongside Dewsbury-Hall, sidelined since December with a similar injury; Harrison Armstrong and Dwight McNeil made way.

The substitutions offered drive and creation. Everton improved and finally tested Leeds keeper Karl Darlow, who dived to his right to save Barry’s effort.

Barry had been tireless once more. With 14 minutes left, he pounced at the near post to turn Gueye’s cross high past Darlow.

What Happened in the Closing Stages?

With Leeds suddenly rocking, Idrissa 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 have moved from historic Goodison Park to their superb new home on the banks of the River Mersey. Yet this latest indifferent performance highlighted 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.

For a long time, this looked like another damaging loss when Everton had the chance to move into serious European contention with victory. Everton were a ponderous mess in the opening half, a message loudly conveyed by the home fans at the break.

Branthwaite and Dewsbury-Hall provided impetus without Leeds ever coming under siege. It was left to Barry to strike again and scramble a point.

The 23-year-old French striker is raw, but his attitude cannot be faulted. He is now adding goals to his game, which Moyes and Everton will be grateful for.

Why Are Leeds Frustrated Despite the Point?

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, with the crucial moment being Calvert-Lewin’s wasted chance to go 2-0 up.

Leeds will know they should have wrapped this one up—only to leave the door open after dominating. This was, however, another sign of how much they have improved under Farke.

They have established a six-point cushion from the relegation places. 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 than their 15.

Leeds justifiably believe this should have been three points rather than one.

What Does This Mean for Everton’s New Stadium Era?

Everton, to be brutal, struggled to adapt at Hill Dickinson Stadium. This draw prevents a slide but underscores ongoing issues in their home form.

Barry’s emergence offers hope. His fourth goal in five games signals potential amid a raw talent pool.

Moyes’ tactical tweaks worked, but the first-half woes raise questions about early-game preparation.

How Has Daniel Farke’s Leeds Evolved?

Farke’s impact is clear in Leeds’ resilience. Their post-December form rivals top sides, easing relegation fears.

Missing the win stings, given their control. Calvert-Lewin’s miss and Aaronson’s energy defined a team on the rise.

The point keeps momentum, but Farke will demand clinical finishing next time.

Broader Context and Player Spotlights

Thierno Barry’s form continues to shine. His winner at Aston Villa preceded this clutch intervention, troubling defences consistently.

James Justin’s goal showcased Leeds’ attacking threat. Arriving late on Stach’s delivery, he epitomised their first-half edge.

Karl Darlow’s save from Barry was pivotal. His dive kept Leeds ahead until the late lapse.

Idrissa Gueye, fresh from AFCON glory, delivered the equalising cross and nearly won it. Iliman Ndiaye, his partner, awaits a bigger role.

Jarrad Branthwaite’s return bolsters defence. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s creativity lifted midfield post-interval.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin rued his ex-club chance. Jayden Bogle’s cross found him unmarked—six yards out proved too close.

Anton Stach and Brenden Aaronson drove Leeds’ midfield mastery. Aaronson, especially, dismantled Everton.

Reactions and Implications

Everton fans’ half-time fury reflected deeper frustrations. Barry’s goal appeased, but home inconsistency persists.

Leeds depart with a point they merited for long stretches. Farke’s rebuild gains traction amid promotion whispers.

For Moyes, salvaging a draw averts crisis. Barry’s goals ease pressure, yet European dreams fade slightly.

This 1-1 thriller encapsulates Premier League grit. Everton cling to respectability; Leeds build belief.