Thierno Barry Calms Everton's Nerves in Opening Win
Thierno Barry eases Everton’s anxiety as Moyes starts with a win, Ipswich stun Sunderland late, and Leeds steal it at Forest on opening day.
Barry strikes early to calm Everton nerves
Everton needed reassurance. Thierno Barry delivered it.
The French forward, who waited until December for his first goal last season, needed just one game this time, scoring in a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace that briefly quietens the noise around David Moyes and a troubled summer.
With no new striker signed to support Barry and Beto after a combined 18 league goals in 2025-26, Moyes has made no secret of his frustration. An early goal from his 23-year-old centre-forward is exactly the kind of problem-solver he wanted.
The afternoon carried a political twist too. Season ticket-holder Andy Burnham watched on during his first visit to Goodison as Prime Minister, and Everton finally produced the kind of result that had deserted them in the run-in last term, when a winless final seven games wrecked their European push.
The team sheet, though, told its own story. Little change, little freshness. Hayden Hackney came in to anchor midfield on his Premier League debut, while Merlin Rohl was again asked to plug the gap at right-back. It looked, for 38 minutes at least, like more of the same.
Palace were sharper, more threatening. Jean-Philippe Mateta scuffed wide from close range with the sort of chance he usually dispatches, then cracked a shot against the post. Eddie Nketiah hit the same upright, denied only by a spectacular touch from Jordan Pickford, who tipped his effort onto the woodwork.
Then the game flipped.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall stepped into space and lashed a left-footed drive across Dean Henderson to give Everton the lead just before the break. One clean strike, and the mood inside Goodison changed instantly.
The second half belonged to the home side. The tempo went up, the passing grew sharper, and Palace began to retreat. The pressure finally told when Hackney reacted quickest to a free-kick, rolling it short and allowing Iliman Ndiaye to whip in a teasing delivery. Barry attacked it, driving a downward header in from five yards.
It was a simple goal, but it came from something Everton often lacked last season: urgency.
Ndiaye looked lively throughout, constantly demanding the ball and stretching Palace’s back line. Hackney, calm and unfazed, used it well and rarely panicked under pressure. Those two offered enough promise to suggest Moyes has at least gained some control in midfield.
The problems have not disappeared, though. Everton’s squad still looks thin, the full-back situation remains awkward, and Moyes’ concerns over recruitment won’t vanish after one win.
Palace have questions of their own. Pierre Sage had to cope without Ismaila Sarr amid strong rumours the winger refused to train to force a move to Galatasaray, and his side’s finishing betrayed him. This is a club that has lifted more silverware in the last two years – an FA Cup and a Conference League title – than Everton have managed in more than three decades. On another day, with sharper finishing, it could easily have been Palace walking away with a 2-0 victory.
Instead, it was Everton celebrating, and Moyes leaving the pitch with a little less to worry about. For now.
Clarke haunts Sunderland as Ipswich explode late
Portman Road has waited a long time for days like this. Jack Clarke made sure the wait was worth it.
The former Sunderland winger came off the bench to score a 90th-minute winner, sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory for newly-promoted Ipswich and sending the stadium into chaos on their Premier League return.
This was the first competitive outing under Gary O’Neil, who stepped in for the hugely successful Kieran McKenna in June. Twelve summer signings, six of them starting here, signalled a club determined not just to survive but to emulate their visitors, who finished seventh on their own top-flight comeback last season.
The game started with a warning. After four minutes, Trai Hume was given too much time and slipped in Brian Brobbey, only for Leif Davis to race back and produce a vital block. Debutant goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen then had a nervy moment on the ball before Ipswich settled.
When they did, they struck.
In the 24th minute, Emersonn marked his first start in style. The move belonged to Julio Enciso. The ex-Brighton forward, back at Town after an impressive six-month loan last year, intercepted Luke O’Nien’s loose pass, glided past O’Nien and Dan Ballard, and calmly squared for Emersonn to slide home. One interception, two defenders beaten, one simple finish. Portman Road roared.
Sunderland, though, refused to fold. With half-time approaching, Granit Xhaka earned a free-kick on the edge of the area. Nilson Angulo stepped up and produced a stunning effort, curling the ball over the wall and in off the crossbar on 39 minutes. A moment of pure technique, and Ipswich’s lead was gone.
At 1-1, the second half became a test of nerve. Ipswich emerged with renewed purpose, with Abdul Fatawu twice threatening to carve out a second goal. Both managers turned to their benches, chasing a late twist.
They got one.
On the brink of stoppage time, Sunderland substitute Omar Alderete played a loose pass out from the back. Sasa Lukic seized on it and fed Clarke. The winger cut inside, picked his spot and curled a low shot beyond Robin Roefs into the corner.
Portman Road erupted. It was only their second Premier League home win in 24 years, secured by a player Sunderland once called their own. For Ipswich, it felt like the start of something. For Sunderland, it was a brutal reminder of how unforgiving this league can be.
Stach’s late sting gives Leeds smash-and-grab at Forest
Nottingham Forest dominated. Leeds walked away with everything.
Anton Stach’s 88th-minute free-kick snatched a 1-0 win at the City Ground, handing Daniel Farke’s side their first league victory there since 1972 and leaving Forest to stew on a familiar story of missed chances.
Oliver Glasner has spoken of pushing Forest into the top half this season. On this evidence, the performance is there, but the finishing remains a glaring problem. No new signings started, and the same old failings in front of goal resurfaced.
The first half drifted until the 16th minute, when Igor Jesus rose to meet Ola Aina’s long throw. James Trafford, alert and agile, stretched to save. Forest then survived a VAR check when Aina’s tackle on James Justin was cleared of serious foul play, and they again escaped when Harry Wilson’s finish was correctly ruled offside in the 25th minute.
From there, the hosts took control. In the 40th minute, James McAtee delivered a superb cross that Nikola Milenkovic glanced against the post. The rebound fell to Igor Jesus, who failed to convert from close range. It set the tone.
Forest came out after the break with the same direct threat. Another Aina cross found Igor Jesus, but his header bounced down and over from inside the box. Chris Wood came on, ran clear from a Murillo through ball, and dragged his shot wide. Chance after chance slipped away.
Leeds, pinned back for long spells, still carried some menace from set pieces. Matz Sels had to fling himself across goal to claw away a powerful header from Tarik Muharemovic, a warning that Forest never quite heeded.
The pressure from the home side continued. Trafford tipped a looping Milenkovic effort onto the crossbar, Forest groaned, and the clock ticked towards full-time.
Then came the punch to the gut.
Stach stood over a free-kick on the corner of the penalty area in the 88th minute. He went low and hard towards the near post. Sels couldn’t keep it out. Leeds’ travelling support exploded in celebration, fully aware they had seen their team pull off a classic away smash-and-grab.
Forest were left with the same question that haunted them last season: how many chances can you waste before it costs you everything?
