Thierno Barry’s early strike gave Everton a narrow win over Ipswich Town. The 1-0 victory at Goodison Park on Saturday moves the Toffees up to seventh in the Premier League table with nine points from their opening five matches.
Barry found the net in the 11th minute, finishing from a James Tarkowski assist. The goal was initially ruled out by the video assistant referee before being confirmed, providing the only score in a tight contest. Everton’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was the other key figure, making multiple saves to deny Ipswich an equaliser.
The decisive moment came from a set-piece. Tarkowski rose to head a deep cross back across goal, where Barry was waiting to volley home from close range. A lengthy VAR check for a potential offside followed, but the goal was eventually given. Barry later said the team’s focus was on securing the points.
Ipswich’s task became harder in the second half when Abdul Fatawu was sent off for a second bookable offence. Despite being a man down, the visitors pressed, forcing Pickford into action. He saved efforts from Abdoul Ouattara, Julio Enciso, Emersonn and Fatawu before the red card. The fourth official indicated seven minutes of added time, but Everton’s defence held firm.
Both sides picked up bookings in a physical game. Everton’s Harrison Armstrong and Vitalii Mykolenko were shown yellow cards, as was Ipswich’s substitute Zian Flemming. The Toffees also made four changes in the second period, with Jake O’Brien, Hayden Hackney, Tyrique George and Tyler Dibling all entering the fray. Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna used all five of his substitutes, including bringing on Chuba Akpom and Daizen Maeda in search of a goal.
The win extends Everton’s unbeaten start to the season to five games, with a recent form of two wins and three draws. They have now kept three consecutive clean sheets in the league, conceding only three goals all season. Everton have earned 9 points from a possible 15, a tally that puts them firmly in the top half of the table.
Sean Dyche’s side face a trip to face Hull City, who are currently eighth, in their next league fixture on October 11. Before that, the squad will have a full week of training, with the full schedule available on our fixtures list. Barry’s goal was his first of the campaign, and the assist marked Tarkowski’s first of the season.
This story first appeared at en.as.com
