Everton now in pole position to sign ‘extraordinary’ striker with 18 goals this season
Everton have unfinished business to tackle when the January transfer window opens.
Thierno Barry gave David Moyes another reason to smile at Newcastle on Monday night, but his winning goal should strengthen the case for helping him out.
The striker settled a 1-0 victory at St James’ Park after Tyrique George’s effort escaped Lukas Hornicek. Barry reacted first to score, taking his tally for the campaign to eight.
Everton climbed to seventh and completed a quick double over Newcastle, having knocked them out of the Carabao Cup four days earlier.
There was plenty for the travelling supporters to enjoy, with their side following a 3-1 cup success with a first away league victory of the season, with Barry scoring in both games.
Jordan Pickford denied Yoane Wissa late on, while Newcastle substitute Jacob Ramsey was dismissed after collecting two bookings in stoppage time.
|
Newcastle 0–1 Everton |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Total |
Newcastle |
Everton |
|
Possession |
51.6% |
48.4% |
|
Expected goals (xG) |
1.29 |
2.15 |
|
Total shots |
17 |
16 |
|
Shots on target |
2 |
5 |
|
Shots off target |
9 |
10 |
|
Shots blocked |
6 |
1 |
|
Touches in opposition box |
28 |
30 |
|
Corners |
4 |
5 |
|
Total passes |
419 |
393 |
|
Accurate passes |
332 |
314 |
|
Passing accuracy |
79.2% |
79.9% |
|
Goalkeeper saves |
4 |
2 |
|
Offsides |
0 |
2 |
|
Fouls committed |
13 |
9 |
|
Yellow cards |
2 |
2 |
|
Red cards |
1 |
0 |
Everton deserved their win, and Barry’s instinct to follow George’s shot helped turn a strong performance into three points on a night Moyes could savour.
However, Moyes is still working with a squad that leaves him precious little room to change things up front.
Everton expected Folarin Balogun to give them another option in the summer, but instead, a dramatic deadline day ended with the Monaco forward pulling out of the move.
An initial £40m deal had been arranged before medical concerns prompted further talks between the clubs. Even after those discussions revived the transfer, Balogun decided against joining.
Beto had already left for Fiorentina, leaving Barry as Everton’s only recognised senior centre forward.
That is a hefty responsibility across a long campaign, however encouraging his latest performances might be. Moyes needs someone he can turn to when Barry needs a rest, or even worse, for if/when he gets injured.
Everton had failed to score in successive league defeats against Chelsea and Arsenal before beating Newcastle, and while the response has been impressive, January offers a chance to give the manager more options.
Everton lead Kelvin Yeboah transfer race as Moyes seeks January striker
Waiting until Barry is unavailable would leave Everton scrambling, and finding another striker while he is scoring would be a far healthier position to work from.
Now, TEAMtalk reports that Everton are in pole position among Premier League clubs chasing Minnesota United striker Kelvin Yeboah.
The Toffees have kept a close watch on the forward and believe he could provide what their attack needs, but they face some competition from Sporting CP for the ‘extraordinary‘ forward’s signature.
Yeboah has scored 18 MLS goals this season, putting some serious substance behind the growing interest in him.
The 26-year-old is valued at around £6m, amid the growing belief that a January move is possible, and a deal anywhere close to that figure would mean a far smaller outlay than the £40m Everton were prepared to pay for Balogun.
His contract runs until December 2027, while European offers are expected when the winter window opens.
The forward is the nephew of former Leeds striker Tony Yeboah and has previously played for Genoa, Sturm Graz, Augsburg, Montpellier and Standard Liege.
Minnesota have already seen him break their previous MLS season record of 14 goals, set by Christian Ramirez in 201, so for Everton, the appeal is pretty clear.
Barry has delivered again, but Moyes cannot keep asking one striker to carry the load.
