The forward’s fourth goal in five league matches cancelled out James Justin’s opener and denied Leeds a valuable away win.
Barry’s current streak underlines a drastic swing in Premier League form. After failing to score with the first 15 league shots of the season, the French forward has converted five of the last 10 efforts. Since the start of December, only Ollie Watkins, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Erling Haaland have scored more.
The numbers reflected a contest Leeds controlled for long spells, even though Everton finished stronger. Leeds produced 14 attempts for an expected goals figure of 1.23, compared to Everton’s 10 shots and 0.6 xG. Everton also avoided defeat after conceding first for only the second time in this Premier League campaign.
| Team | Goals | Shots | xG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everton | 1 | 10 | 0.6 |
| Leeds United | 1 | 14 | 1.23 |
Leeds’ broader Premier League form also remains strong as the battle for safety continues. Since the start of December, no side has lost fewer league matches than Leeds, with only one defeat in that stretch. Over the same period, Leeds have claimed 15 points, fewer only than Aston Villa, Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United and Fulham.
Leeds began on the front foot and struck first in the 28th minute. Anton Stach delivered a cross towards the back post, where James Justin attacked the ball and finished powerfully. Daniel Farke’s side almost extended the lead soon after, as continued pressure forced Everton into hurried defending near their own area.
Everton’s best moment of the opening half arrived through a familiar face. On the first return to Goodison Park, Dominic Calvert-Lewin nearly reached double figures in this Premier League season. A low effort from close range beat the goalkeeper but crashed against the post, leaving Everton still trailing at the interval.
David Moyes responded at half-time with both personnel and tactical changes. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jarrad Branthwaite entered, and Everton’s overall shape altered. The hosts pressed higher, carried more threat and forced Karl Darlow into sharp work, including a full-stretch stop from Barry’s outside-of-the-foot strike from the right channel.
Premier League Everton vs Leeds reaction and context
The breakthrough finally arrived when Barry timed the run perfectly to get across Sebastiaan Bornauw. Idrissa Gueye’s cross dropped into the area and Barry lifted the ball into the roof of the net. Everton nearly completed the turnaround when Gueye, recently crowned Africa Cup of Nations winner with Senegal, struck the crossbar from Tyler Dibling’s lay-off.
Everton will likely feel frustrated to collect only one point after such a strong second half, yet the performance of Barry offered encouragement. Leeds, meanwhile, extended a consistent Premier League run that edges the club closer to safety, combining defensive resilience with enough attacking threat to challenge opponents across the division.