Everton lost their final Premier League game of the season against Tottenham Hotspur – and David Moyes deserves criticism over one baffling decision in particular.
The Toffees have finished their 2025/26 campaign with a whimper, going seven games without a win to finish 13th in the Premier League table.
How do you even sum up that performance? 😡
Utterly woeful from Everton on the final day…
Joao Palhinha scored the only goal of the game just before half-time, and Everton could barely lay a glove on Spurs.
There was some late pressure from the visitors, with Tyrique George perhaps the biggest threat after coming off the bench.
But it was a terrible display – and David Moyes’ decision to keep Thierno Barry on the pitch for so long was utterly baffling.
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David Moyes should have taken Thierno Barry off at half-time in Tottenham defeat
Eyebrows were raised this afternoon when Everton’s team sheet came through, which showed that Barry was starting the game over Beto.
By and large, Beto has been the better player this season, and he had the chance to get to double figures in the Premier League for the first time.
But it was Barry who got the nod, and the Frenchman needed to justify that bold selection. But he absolutely did not.
Barry was completely ineffective throughout as he led the line. He was initially supported by Iliman Ndiaye, who was also poor again, but then played more on his own – and was completely pocketed by Spurs centre-backs Kevin Danso and Micky van de Ven.
This should have been a nervy afternoon for Spurs and those centre-backs that have been so poor this season.
But Barry made it far too easy for both of them.
As per Sofascore, Barry had just 24 touches and completed just 9/14 (64%) passes. And he won just three of the 16 duels he contested.
But he should not take all of the criticism here. Moyes should have hooked him far sooner – possibly even as early as half-time.
Barry was given 84 minutes of this game, which was absolutely baffling management from Moyes.
It is worrying that he watched that first-half performance from Barry and felt he should have stayed on the pitch. There was zero threat whatsoever.
That was a disgraceful performance from Everton… something has to change! 😤
Others could also count themselves lucky to have taken to the field for the second-half, including Jake O’Brien who was having a torrid time against Mathys Tel.
But with Everton obviously needing to chase the game in the second-half, attacking changes felt extremely necessary.
This game was just further evidence that Moyes is often too slow to react in games, and fans will rightly be asking a lot of questions of the owners about his suitability to take Everton to the next level.
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