'It's time for Barry to repay fans' by scoring goals'

DAVID Moyes has praised Everton fans for the support they have shown Thierno Barry - but has again called on the forward to start scoring goals.

- By CONNOR O'NEIL

The 23-year-old moved to the Hill Dickinson Stadium during the summer transfer window for a fee in the region of £27million.

Barry scored 11 goals in 35 LaLiga appearances last season to help Villarreal finish fifth, securing their place in this season’s Champions League. But Barry is yet to score in 15 appearances for Everton, and his luck showed no sign of changing when he was denied by VAR against Newcastle United at the weekend after he headed the ball onto his own arm before smashing the ball past Aaron Ramsdale.

But when asked about the forward, Moyes said: “What we have chosen to do at the moment is give him the opportunity to play, to show what he can do.

“I think it is great what the supporters have done; they have backed him big time and it has given him great confidence.

“But saying that to get a cheer from supporters, you have to do the right things; you have to show your willing. I think if you work hard enough, you will be well accepted.

“Ultimately if you are trying to reach the top levels against Newcastle and others like that, then any small opportunity that come around you have to take your chances and score from them.

“We need him to come up with goals, that is part of the job if you are a number nine. But we are happy with the way he is playing at the moment.

“He is certainly beginning to get used to the Premier League and Everton.”