A dramatic second-half transformation at the Hill Dickinson Stadium saw Everton, inspired by the returning Thierno Barry, salvage a 1-1 draw against Leeds United on Monday, a result that did little to ease the mounting pressure on either side of the Premier League table.
The first half belonged entirely to the visitors, who capitalised on a lethargic Everton performance. Leeds’ breakthrough came in the 28th minute through defender James Justin, who scored his first Premier League goal since September 2024.
The move originated down Leeds’ productive right flank, and after Dominic Calvert-Lewin failed to connect with Anton Stach’s cross, Justin arrived unmarked at the far post to blast the ball home. The former Everton striker, in his first return to Merseyside since a summer move, came agonisingly close to doubling the lead just six minutes later, seeing his instinctive close-range poke rebound off the post.
The hosts, failing to register a single shot on target and being thoroughly outplayed, were met with a crescendo of boos from the 51,979 fans as they trudged off at half-time.
Facing a potential mutiny, Everton manager David Moyes responded with decisive changes at the break, introducing Jarrad Branthwaite for his first appearance of the season and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The shift to a back three jolted the Toffees to life.
The momentum began to turn, with Iliman Ndiaye, fresh from winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal, having an effort blocked, before Barry forced an outstanding save from Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow with an audacious flick.
The pressure finally told in the 76th minute. Idrissa Gueye, another of Senegal’s triumphant returning heroes, surged down the right flank and delivered a low cross into the area. Barry, showing the predatory instincts that have defined his recent form, nipped in front of Sebastiaan Bornauw to clip a deft finish into the roof of the net.
The French striker, who failed to score in his first 18 league matches, now boasts four goals in his last five. Everton came within inches of a stunning winner just two minutes later, but Gueye’s thunderous strike from the edge of the area cannoned back off the crossbar.
In his post-match comments, Moyes acknowledged his side’s poor start but praised their resilience. “Really disappointed with how we played in the first half… The second half was much better. We stuck at it,” he said, singling out Barry’s improved training and growing confidence for his scoring surge.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke was left to rue missed opportunities, stating, “It’s a bit disappointing as we weren’t far away from winning it… We should’ve buried the game in the first half”.
The shared points leave a complex legacy. Everton, now 10th with 33 points, extended their concerning home form to just one win since November, a key source of frustration for their supporters.
For 16th-placed Leeds, the draw represents a missed chance to create clear distance from the relegation scrap, leaving them six points above the bottom three after rivals Nottingham Forest and West Ham secured weekend victories.