Thierno Barry on target again as Everton held to Premier League draw with Leeds

Thierno Barry on target again as Everton held to Premier League draw with Leeds

James Justin opened the scoring for the visitors to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on 28 minutes ahead of a 76th minute Barry equaliser, for his fourth goal in the last five games.

Barry had failed to score in his first 16 appearances following his off-season signing from Villareal.

The result left the Toffees in 10th place on the league standings with 33 points from 23 games and Leeds in 16th position with 26 points.

The home side were full of confidence heading into this tie after seeing off an in-form Aston Villa 1-0 last time out, but it was Leeds who deservedly took the lead as Justin fired home from an Anton Stach cross.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin hit the post in his first game against his former club since joining Leeds in the summer while Jayden Bogle and Ilia Gruev also threatened.

Everton were, meanwhile, booed off at half-time after failing to create a shot on target, compared to 10 attempts from Leeds.

Toffees boss David Moyes made changes to his line-up and formation at half-time with Jarrad Branthwaite and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall brought on for Dwight McNeil and Harrison Armstrong.

Everton were far more comfortable in the second half and Barry tested Karl Darlow with a curler that was expertly kept out by the Whites' shotstopper.

But Darlow could do nothing to stop Barry from bagging an equaliser moments later, as the French striker stole in ahead of Sebastiaan Bornauw to flick a superb Idrissa Gueye cross into the roof of the Leeds goal.

Gueye had a chance to win the tie late on but hit the crossbar from the edge of the area.

Reflecting on the game, Moyes told Sky: "Really disappointed with how we played in the first half and generally how we set up didn't really work as well as we'd have liked. The second half was much better. We stuck at it.

"It didn't look like a goal was coming but we got one in the end, and we were a bit unfortunate not to get a second one."

Leeds boss Daniel Farke added: "It is a really good point for us on the road. We were outstanding in the first half, it was one of our best performances, and we should have scored a second when Dom hit the post.

“It was obvious Everton would eventually show up but we didn't allow them many chances. We have to respect it's tough at their place, so we take the point and move on.”

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