Thierno Barry marked the start of Everton's Premier League season with a decisive header against Crystal Palace — a moment that suggested the 23-year-old Frenchman may finally be growing into the role his club signed him to fill.

Barry connected with Iliman Ndiaye's cross early in the second half to double Everton's lead at Hill Dickinson Stadium, all but extinguishing any hope of a Palace comeback. As he was substituted off in the final 15 minutes to a standing ovation, the striker appeared to relish every second of the acclaim from the Everton faithful.

A difficult first chapter

When Barry arrived from Villarreal for £27m last summer, expectation was tempered by realism. Everton, having endured years of relegation battles, managerial upheaval, and a points deduction for breaching Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules, were not in a position to sign an established elite striker.

Barry had delivered 11 goals in La Liga the previous season, but it was understood his adaptation to English football would take time. That patience was stretched to its limit by January, with Barry having scored just once in 18 Premier League appearances.

Then something clicked. Barry's campaign burst into life in the second half of the season, and he ultimately finished with eight goals in 38 Premier League appearances — four of which came after creator-in-chief Jack Grealish suffered a season-ending injury in January. His xG for the campaign stood at 8.1, and his shot conversion rate of 21.1 percent placed him fractionally behind Erling Haaland's 21.4 percent.

Moyes demands more

Manager David Moyes welcomed the goal but was characteristically measured in his appraisal of Barry's overall display. The Everton boss pointed to moments where the striker drifted wide unnecessarily and struggled to control the ball when his side looked to break at pace — areas Moyes identified as requiring improvement.