MusaThierno Barry has brushed aside suggestions that he handled the ball before scoring his second goal against Coventry City, as the Everton striker continued his impressive scoring run with another match-winning performance.
The Toffees secured their third victory in just eight days after coming from behind to defeat Frank Lampard’s Coventry side 3-1. Barry was once again at the centre of the action, following his recent goals against Newcastle United in both the Carabao Cup and Premier League with another outstanding display.
Everton initially struggled to impose themselves during the opening stages, with Coventry enjoying the better spells of possession and creating problems for David Moyes’ men.
The visitors eventually took the lead shortly after the interval through Yann Gboho, putting Lampard’s team in a promising position to secure a positive result.
However, Everton responded impressively, with Barry producing two quickfire goals to turn the contest around and put the home side ahead shortly after the hour mark.
The French forward then demonstrated his creative ability by setting up Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for Everton’s third goal, completing an important comeback that lifted the Merseyside club to fifth place in the Premier League standings.
Despite Everton’s convincing victory, much of the post-match discussion centred on Barry’s second goal, which immediately sparked controversy.
Replays appeared to show the striker making contact with the ball using his hand before forcing it over the goal line, raising questions about whether the goal should have been allowed to stand.
Thierno Barry Breaks Silence Over Controversial Handball Goal
Speaking to Sky Sports after the final whistle, Barry was asked about the incident that had generated considerable debate during the match.
However, the Everton striker appeared unconcerned by the controversy and responded with a smile, insisting that he was delighted to have scored twice.
“Goal is goal! So I’m happy. I have two goals today so I’m happy,” Barry said.
His response quickly attracted attention, particularly among Coventry supporters who felt the officials had made the wrong decision by allowing the goal to stand.
The Premier League subsequently addressed the incident through its official Match Centre account on X, explaining that the Video Assistant Referee had reviewed the goal and supported the referee’s original decision.
The statement read:
“The referee’s call of goal to Everton was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that Barry did not commit a handball offence.”
The Premier League also released the audio communication between the VAR officials, with the video assistant referee explaining why the goal was allowed to stand.
“Okay, that’s his side that’s definitely not hand. Confirming the on-field decision of goal, check complete.”
The clarification effectively confirmed that the officials believed Barry had not committed a punishable handball offence during the scoring incident.
Frank Lampard Furious With VAR Decisions After Everton Defeat
While Everton celebrated another important victory, Coventry manager Frank Lampard was left frustrated by several refereeing decisions that he believed had a significant influence on the outcome.
The former Everton midfielder questioned the officiating throughout the contest, particularly highlighting two incidents that he felt should have resulted in favourable decisions for his team.
One involved Everton defender James Tarkowski, who appeared to pull Caleb Yirenkyi’s hair inside the penalty area during the first half.
Lampard also believed his side should have been awarded a penalty following an alleged contact involving Taiwo Awoniyi near the edge of the box.
However, the Coventry manager was particularly unhappy with the decision to allow Barry’s second goal to stand, insisting that he had seen footage suggesting the ball made contact with the striker’s hand before crossing the line.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the defeat, Lampard acknowledged that his players had produced several positive moments but insisted that the major decisions went against them.
“A lot of good stuff in the way we played, which makes it really difficult to lose the game. Big decisions affected the game, clearly,” Lampard explained.
He continued by questioning the decisions involving Tarkowski, Yirenkyi and Barry.
“The VAR ones, VAR looked at them. The James Tarkowski hair pull on Caleb Yirenkyi, Taiwo Awoniyi, I think he gets contact on the edge of the box, which is a penalty.
“Then the second goal for them comes off the player’s hand. If you’re going to check the angles, there is an angle where it flicks in off his hand. VAR looked at it and decided not. The last touch to score is off the hand, in my opinion.”
Lampard further insisted that he had seen what he considered convincing footage of the incident, although he acknowledged that the officials had reached a different conclusion.
“I’ve seen a conclusive angle so I can disagree. I understand they are going to back themselves, that’s fine, and it’s hard to say it’s not a hair pull. It’s an in-between kind of hair pull, that’s a funny area to be in, so I don’t get that one either.”
The defeat represents another frustrating result for Coventry, who had shown encouraging signs before Everton’s second-half comeback.
For Everton, however, Barry’s growing influence and another important victory will provide plenty of encouragement as Moyes’ side continue their push towards the top end of the Premier League table.
Musa
