Thierno Barry Shines in Everton’s Cup Win Amid Family Burglary

Thierno Barry scored in Everton’s 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Newcastle United on Thursday night. While he was helping drive his new club into the quarter-finals, his family home was being burgled.

The Everton forward’s partner, Charlene, revealed in the early hours of Friday that their house had been broken into while they were at the game. The couple have a young daughter.

She wrote on social media: “Unfortunately, our home was burgled this evening while we were at the football match. Thankfully, nobody was home at the time, but this is still an extremely distressing and violating experience for us and our family.

“If anyone has seen or heard anything suspicious, or has any information that could help, we would be incredibly grateful if you could get in touch. We are also willing to offer a financial reward for any information that helps identify those responsible. Thank you to everyone for your support.”

Her words cut through the usual post-match noise. A goal, a win, a place in the last eight – and then the reality that someone has rifled through your home.

A growing pattern

Barry is the latest in a worrying line of players targeted while on duty.

Earlier this week, Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White also had his home stormed. His partner, Britney De Villiers, went public on Tuesday to warn others after their family house was hit.

“I wasn’t going to publicly share this but our home was burgled a few days ago and after hearing about another one since, I feel it’s important to just warn others,” she wrote. “It’s incredibly unsettling knowing that homes are being targeted.

“Please be extra vigilant, make sure your security systems are on whether you’re in the house or not and report anything suspicious. Thankfully, nobody was home when it happened and material things can be replaced but it’s a horrible feeling knowing someone has violated your home, especially when you have young children. Please stay safe and look out for one another.”

Her message echoed Charlene’s: the sense of violation, the relief that no one was inside, the unease that lingers long after the locks are changed.

Bruno Fernandes has also been caught up in the same grim trend. The Manchester United captain’s home was ransacked by masked robbers during his side’s 4-1 defeat to Como last week.

A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: “At around 8.30pm on Wednesday 21 October, police were called to reports of suspicious activity at an address in the Alderley Park area of Nether Alderley.

“The caller reported three unknown men in the rear garden of a neighbouring property. Officers attended the scene and on arrival there was no trace of the suspects. However, officers discovered that there had been a burglary at the address and a number of items had been stolen.”

Different clubs, different competitions, same story: players away on duty, homes left exposed.

Barry shines on the pitch

On the field at Goodison, Barry had every reason to leave with a smile.

Everton swept Newcastle aside with a sharp, controlled display to book their place in the League Cup quarter-finals. James Garner set the tone just after the half-hour, punishing a costly lapse from Amar Dedic. Tyrique George robbed the full-back on the left, Hayden Hackney stepped in with a first-time ball into the box, and Garner curled his finish past Lukas Hornicek.

The pressure told again on the stroke of half-time. Barry, drifting into space and seeing the picture early, picked out Hackney in the middle of the area. The midfielder met it cleanly, volleying from close range to double the lead and leave Newcastle reeling.

Everton did not let them back in. With around 20 minutes to play, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall broke forward and slid the ball across to the back post, where Barry arrived to make it game, set and match. A composed finish, a statement performance, a night that should have been remembered only for footballing reasons.

Dan Burn’s towering late header salvaged a sliver of pride for Newcastle but nothing more. The Magpies were out, the tie gone long before the final whistle.

For Everton, it was a night of momentum, a cup run taking shape, a new signing finding his feet and his goal touch in front of an expectant crowd.

For Barry and his family, it ended with a police matter, a violated home, and the uneasy knowledge that in English football right now, the danger doesn’t always come from the opposition.