Barry's hat-trick carries Everton past Preston in Carabao Cup romp

Barry netted three times and created another in what shaped as a statement performance from David Moyes's side. The forward, who managed eight goals across 41 games last season, already sits four short of that after just two outings—one in Saturday's Premier League opener against Crystal Palace and now three here.

Everton dominated proceedings from the outset, though Moyes acknowledged they could have been more clinical early on. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's delivery released Vitalii Mykolenko down the left, and Barry's opening finish was assured. His second, arriving before the hour, quashed any Preston comeback hopes, before he completed his treble to seal progression with 20 minutes remaining.

Brennan Johnson, signed from Crystal Palace this month, capped the win with a fourth goal—his first since November 2025—while setting up Barry's third with an assist.

Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom reflected on a fixture where tactical timing proved costly. He noted his side's attacking shortage from the bench made it impossible to relieve defensive pressure, a structural problem he acknowledged cannot be overcome against elite opposition.

Everton, absent from the third round since 2023/24, now face Wolverhampton, according to Sky Sports.