Thierno Barry hat-trick powers Everton past Preston in Carabao Cup

Everton advanced in the Carabao Cup with a 4-0 win over Preston North End at Deepdale on Wednesday, powered by the first hat-trick of Thierno Barry's Everton career. The Guardian reported that Brennan Johnson completed the scoring after setting up Barry's third goal, giving manager David Moyes a convincing victory on his competitive return to the club he left for Everton in 2002.

Watch the highlights:

Moyes selected a strong side, making only two changes from the team that started Everton's opening-day victory over Crystal Palace. Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom made seven changes from the lineup beaten by Wolves on Saturday. Everton controlled the opening stages, with 19-year-old Harrison Armstrong and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall helping the visitors stretch Preston's defence.

The breakthrough came through Dewsbury-Hall's pass over the defence to Vitalii Mykolenko. After controlling the ball, the left-back squared it across the penalty area for Barry to finish. Preston created a rare first-half opening when Delano Burgzorg collected a loose ball and supplied Leo Leroy, but Leroy sent his attempt over the bar.

Everton continued to threaten before and after halftime. Tyler Dibling, making his first start since Everton's FA Cup third-round exit in January, forced a save from Preston goalkeeper Lee Nicholls. Nicholls also stopped an effort from Dewsbury-Hall during an Everton counterattack early in the second half as Preston tried to play with greater aggression.

Barry doubled Everton's lead after Dewsbury-Hall combined with Iliman Ndiaye and drove a shot at Nicholls. The goalkeeper made the initial save, but Barry reached the rebound and converted from close range. He then completed his hat-trick at the far post, turning in a cross from Johnson.

Barry also contributed to Everton's fourth goal, playing a pass through Preston's defence for Johnson. The substitute finished beneath the exposed goalkeeper to complete the 4-0 scoreline. According to The Guardian, Barry now has four goals in Everton's first two games of the new season after scoring eight times during his debut campaign with the club.