Why Sam Matterface audibly gulped at Thierno Barry as Alex Crook highlights 'big issue' at Everton

Thierno Barry is still working hard to improve his consistency at Everton.

SIgned from Villarreal for £27million in the summer of 2025, the French striker scored eight Premier League goals last term.

This term, Barry has six across all competitions, with three of those coming in the Carabao Cup against Preston.

Barry was on target last week in the 2-2 draw with Hull City, taking him to three Premier League goals for the campaign.

But the 23-year-old was also guilty of spurning some presentable opportunities, in what has unfortunately been a regular habit for him in an Everton shirt.

Indeed, Barry's form and Everton's goalscoring ability in general were a topic of discussion on talkSPORT ahead of their clash with Chelsea.

What made Sam Matterface gasp at Everton striker Thierno Barry?

Everton remained unbeaten this season thanks to their draw with the Tigers.

But there was definitely a sense of frustration for supporters and no doubt for manager David Moyes.

Barry was a source of that frustration, and he has now missed 10 "big chances" in the Premier League this season.

That is five more than any other player in the top flight, and it is evident he needs to improve his consistency in front of goal.

Indeed, journalist Alex Crook believes that a lack of goals could end being a problem for Moyes and Everton as the season progresses.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Crook said: "I guess the big issue still is where the goals are going to come from, because they should have won at Hull, and if Thierno Barry could finish they would have won at Hull.

Sam Matterface replied: "We were on together and I audibly gulped when he missed the chance that went through his legs."

Thierno Barry still a work-in-progress at Everton

There were always going to be discussions around Barry and his ability in front of goal this season.

It is not his fault, though, that Everton's hierarchy left Moyes in a position where Barry is the only senior option in his squad.

It's a tough ask for Barry, only in his second campaign in England's top flight, to shoulder the burden responsibility in front of goal.

Moyes knows that everyone in his attack will need to contribute to ease the pressure on Barry's shoulders.

He is still a work-in-progress, and there has been enough to suggest he can score goals at this level.

But it's evidently clear he needs to help, and it's something Everton simply must address in the January transfer window.