Thierno Barry Matches Last Season's Goal Tally in Just 12 Games

Thierno Barry's first season at Everton was a painful one. He scored eight times in 41 appearances, and by the end of it many supporters were questioning whether he could become a dependable starting striker. This season has answered that question quickly. In just 12 games, Barry has already matched his entire goal tally from last campaign.

The difference is clear in the rate of scoring. Last season he found the net roughly once every five matches. This term he has been averaging a goal every game and a half. Turnarounds like this are rarely caused by a single factor, and the exact reasons behind his improvement are harder to pin down than the raw numbers. What stands out is consistency. He is no longer relying on occasional flashes, and he is getting into scoring positions often enough to make it look repeatable.

For Everton, that consistency carries real value. A centre-forward who is reliably finding the net takes pressure off the rest of the attack, gives teammates a clearer target, and makes the team less dependent on a small group of players to create every chance. Barry's form has turned him from a source of concern into a genuine option, and that changes how the manager can set up the side.

The obvious caveat is time. Eight goals in 12 games is a strong start, but no striker keeps a hot streak going indefinitely. If he maintained this pace across a full 38-game league season, he would finish with around 25 goals, a figure that would have been unimaginable after his debut year. Whether he can sustain it will decide whether this run is remembered as a comeback or simply a good spell. For now, the striker who struggled to settle has given Everton supporters a reason to believe again.