Thierno Barry fires Everton past Ipswich to preserve unbeaten start

Everton edged Ipswich Town 1-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium to preserve their unbeaten start to the Premier League season, with Thierno Barry once again finding the net to settle a closely fought contest.

Barry was in the right place at the right time after 11 minutes when James Tarkowski’s long-range volley took a deflection off the forward and wrong-footed Christian Walton in the Ipswich goal.

The goal gave Everton an early advantage, although the visitors had opportunities to extend their lead before half-time. Barry came close to a second when he was left unmarked at the far post, but his header drifted narrowly wide.

Ipswich gradually grew into the game and threatened to level before the interval. Jack Clarke’s delivery to the far post created an opening for Emersonn, whose header narrowly missed the target as Jordan Pickford scrambled across his goal.

The hosts then passed up an even better opportunity moments later. Abdul Fatawu picked out Leif Davis with a cross, but the Ipswich defender scuffed his effort wide from just six yards.

Everton therefore went into the break with their narrow advantage intact despite spending lengthy spells under pressure.

Ipswich push for equaliser

Whatever Gary O’Neil told his players at half-time appeared to have an immediate effect, with Ipswich starting the second half aggressively.

Julio Enciso forced Pickford into a save at his near post before Abdoul Ouattara tested the Everton goalkeeper with a powerful effort from distance.

Everton thought they had doubled their advantage on the hour mark when Barry headed in from a corner. However, the goal was ruled out following a VAR review, with Johnson judged to have interfered with Walton’s ability to make the save while in an offside position.

Ipswich were dealt another setback shortly afterwards when Fatawu was shown a second yellow card for simulation, leaving O’Neil’s side with 10 men for the closing stages.

Everton survive late scare

The numerical disadvantage made Ipswich’s task even harder, but Everton were unable to put the game beyond doubt despite finding additional space.

Dewsbury-Hall came agonisingly close to adding a second with around 10 minutes remaining. Tyler Dibling’s delivery found him unmarked at the far post, but he somehow headed wide from six yards.

The miss ultimately proved inconsequential as Everton defended their lead through the closing stages to secure three points.

The victory keeps Everton unbeaten in the league this season and strengthens growing optimism around a possible challenge for European football.

It also extended David Moyes’ impressive head-to-head record against O’Neil, with the Everton manager now having won five consecutive meetings against his counterpart.