Preston North End 0-4 Everton
Everton produced a commanding performance at Deepdale to beat Preston North End 4-0 and advance to the third round of the 2026/27 Carabao Cup.
The standout performer was Thierno Barry, who scored a hat-trick as David Moyes’ side took control after a relatively even opening period. Brennan Johnson added Everton’s fourth goal, scoring his first for the club.
The victory was particularly memorable for Moyes, who returned to Preston, the club where he began his managerial career, and watched his Everton side deliver a convincing cup performance.
Preston vs Everton Result
Preston North End 0-4 Everton
Competition: Carabao Cup, second round
Date: August 26, 2026
Venue: Deepdale, Preston
Goals
- 25′ — Thierno Barry — Preston 0-1 Everton
- 59′ — Thierno Barry — Preston 0-2 Everton
- 70′ — Thierno Barry — Preston 0-3 Everton
- 73′ — Brennan Johnson — Preston 0-4 Everton
Barry’s three goals made him the clear star of the match, while Johnson’s late strike completed a comfortable Everton victory.
Thierno Barry Opens the Scoring
Everton had to wait until the 25th minute to break the deadlock.
Thierno Barry found the breakthrough, giving the Premier League side a deserved lead after Everton had controlled much of the early play.
The goal settled any early nerves for the visitors.
Preston had entered the match hoping to produce another cup upset after progressing past Huddersfield Town in the first round, but Everton’s superior quality was beginning to show.
Preston Struggle to Find a Response
Preston were unable to create enough danger in the Everton penalty area.
The Championship side had also made several changes to their team, while Everton selected a strong squad despite manager David Moyes previously emphasizing the importance of Premier League survival.
That difference in squad strength eventually became decisive.
Everton continued to control possession and territory without needing to take excessive risks.
Barry Doubles Everton’s Advantage
Barry struck again in the 59th minute.
His second goal put Everton firmly in control at 2-0.
At that point, Preston needed a dramatic response, but the hosts struggled to create the opportunities necessary to make the final half-hour uncomfortable for Everton.
Instead, Barry was about to complete his outstanding evening.
Barry Completes His Hat-Trick
The biggest moment of the match arrived in the 70th minute.
Barry scored his third goal of the night, completing a hat-trick and putting Everton 3-0 ahead.
It was his first hat-trick for Everton and took his tally to four goals in his first two games of the season, following his goal against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
For the striker, it was an enormous confidence boost.
For Preston, the game was effectively over.
Brennan Johnson Scores His First Everton Goal
Everton added a fourth goal just three minutes later.
Brennan Johnson found the net in the 73rd minute, completing a quick move involving Barry.
Barry turned from scorer into provider, setting up Johnson to score his first goal for Everton.
The 4-0 scoreline reflected Everton’s dominance during the second half.
Everton’s Attack Takes Centre Stage
The victory demonstrated the attacking options available to Moyes.
Barry was obviously the headline performer, but Everton also received important contributions from Johnson and the players supplying them.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was particularly influential in midfield, providing creativity and helping Everton control the game.
The performance will give Moyes plenty to consider as he manages his squad across the Premier League and domestic cup competitions.
Preston vs Everton: How the Match Unfolded
First Half
Preston started with the ambition of making life difficult for their Premier League opponents.
Everton gradually established control before Barry broke the deadlock in the 25th minute.
Preston remained within touching distance at halftime.
Half-time: Preston 0-1 Everton.
Second Half
The second half belonged almost entirely to Everton.
Barry doubled the lead in the 59th minute before completing his hat-trick 11 minutes later.
Johnson then scored three minutes after Barry’s third.
Full-time: Preston 0-4 Everton.
David Moyes Enjoys Winning Return to Preston
The result had an additional personal significance for David Moyes.
The Everton manager previously managed Preston North End before eventually moving into the Premier League.
Returning to Deepdale with Everton and leaving with a 4-0 victory made the evening particularly memorable.
Moyes had faced questions before the game about how seriously Everton would approach the Carabao Cup, especially with Premier League football remaining the club’s primary priority.
His team answered those questions on the pitch.
Thierno Barry Steals the Show
There was little doubt about the man of the match.
Thierno Barry was outstanding.
His three goals demonstrated his finishing ability and gave Everton the attacking focal point they needed.
His performance also comes at an important time for the striker.
A forward scoring four goals across Everton’s first two competitive appearances of the campaign will naturally attract attention.
The challenge now will be maintaining that form when the Premier League competition becomes more intense.
What Went Wrong for Preston?
Preston’s biggest problem was their inability to deal with Everton’s attacking quality.
The hosts managed to keep the game competitive for the opening 45 minutes, but once Everton scored their second goal, the contest opened up.
Preston were unable to recover.
Their limited attacking threat also meant Everton’s defence was rarely placed under serious pressure.
Everton’s Defence Keeps a Clean Sheet
While Barry received most of the attention, Everton’s defensive performance should not be overlooked.
The Toffees kept a clean sheet, with Preston unable to find a way through.
The defensive structure allowed Everton’s attacking players to take greater control as the game progressed.
It was also another positive sign after Everton began their Premier League season with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
What the Result Means for Everton
The victory sends Everton through to the third round of the Carabao Cup.
They now have another opportunity to compete for domestic silverware.
The draw has paired Everton with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the next round.
The match is also significant because Everton have started the 2026/27 season strongly.
A Premier League victory over Crystal Palace was followed by a convincing cup win over Preston.
That gives Moyes and his players positive momentum heading into the next phase of the campaign.
What the Result Means for Preston
For Preston, the Carabao Cup journey is over.
The Championship side had already survived a difficult first-round tie against Huddersfield, progressing after a penalty shootout.
But the step up in quality against Everton proved too much.
Their focus now returns entirely to the Championship.
Preston vs Everton: Key Talking Points
1. Thierno Barry Was Unstoppable
Three goals made Barry the obvious star of the evening.
2. Brennan Johnson Is Off the Mark
Johnson scored his first goal for Everton and will hope it is the beginning of a productive spell at the club.
3. Everton Took the Competition Seriously
Despite the Premier League being the priority, Moyes selected a strong side and Everton delivered a professional performance.
4. Preston Held On Until Half-Time
The Championship side went into the break only one goal behind, but could not cope with Everton after the interval.
5. Everton’s Season Has Started Well
A 2-0 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace was followed by a 4-0 cup victory, giving Everton an encouraging opening to the campaign. (Goal)
Preston vs Everton: Final Verdict
Everton were simply too strong for Preston.
The Premier League side controlled the match and eventually turned a narrow halftime advantage into a convincing 4-0 victory.
The biggest positive was undoubtedly Thierno Barry’s hat-trick.
The striker’s three goals, combined with Brennan Johnson’s first Everton goal, gave Moyes plenty to celebrate on his return to Deepdale.
For Preston, the result highlights the gap between the two divisions, although the first-half performance showed that they were capable of competing for periods.
Everton now move into the third round, where they will face Wolverhampton Wanderers.
And if Barry can maintain this kind of form, Moyes may have found one of the most important attacking weapons of Everton’s season.
