Thierno Barry’s late surge of form continued with a crucial second-half equaliser as Everton battled back to draw 1-1 with Leeds at Goodison Park.

The forward, once criticised for his lack of end product, now has four goals in his last five league appearances after managing just one in his first 18. His latest strike rescued a point on a night when Everton were outplayed for long spells and stretched their winless home run to five matches.

Leeds, sitting just above the relegation scrap, arrived with only one away league victory but dominated the opening period. Their enterprise was rewarded when James Justin, pushing high from wing-back, swept in Anton Stach’s cross from the right to give the visitors a deserved lead.

Everton, passive and disjointed, failed to register a shot on target before the interval and were booed off by a frustrated home crowd. Television pundit Jamie Carragher accused them of making Leeds “look like Real Madrid” as Daniel Farke’s side racked up 10 first-half attempts. Former Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin almost deepened the sense of regret, striking the post against his old club.

David Moyes reacted decisively at the break, introducing Jarrad Branthwaite and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to mirror Leeds’ back three. The tactical shift stiffened Everton’s structure and finally gave Barry the support he needed in attack.

The equaliser arrived with 14 minutes left. Idrissa Gueye, increasingly influential, burst into space on the right and drilled a low cross into the box. Barry reacted quickest, darting across his marker to stab the ball past Karl Darlow from close range, igniting Goodison and underlining his growing confidence.

Within minutes, Everton almost completed the turnaround. Gueye crashed a rising effort against the bar, while Darlow produced a sharp save to preserve Leeds’ point. Yet Farke’s side, who remain six points clear of the drop, could also reflect on missed chances to kill the contest before the interval.

Moyes admitted his side “couldn’t play any worse” than they had in the first half but praised Barry’s development, highlighting improved training levels and growing understanding with teammates. Farke, meanwhile, hailed a “good result” for a promoted side, though he lamented his players’ failure to “bury the game” when they were on top.

In the end, the night belonged to Barry, whose revival is fast becoming central to Everton’s season.