Thierno Barry continued his recent fine scoring form when he pounced to rescue a point for Everton against Leeds United at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Daniel Farke’s visitors deservedly led through James Justin’s first-half goal, with Everton receiving a furious send-off from their own supporters at the interval.
Everton manager David Moyes reacted with changes at half-time – including the re-introduction of fit-again Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – and his side responded.
Barry was unsettling Leeds, scoring the equaliser with 14 minutes left with a sharp near-post finish from Idrissa Gueye’s cross for his fourth goal in five Premier League games, following his winner at Aston Villa.
Everton welcomed back Africa Cup of Nations duo Iliman Ndiaye and Gueye after their triumphant campaign with Senegal, but they had no impact in a dreadful opening 45 minutes from the home team.
Leeds were in complete control, taking a deserved lead after 28 minutes, Justin arriving at the far post to score after Dominic Calvert-Lewin had failed to get a touch on Anton Stach’s cross.
Calvert-Lewin should have marked the return to his former club by doubling Leeds’ advantage shortly after, only to strike the near post from six yards when he got on the end of Jayden Bogle’s cross.
Moyes had to make some attempt to change the course of the game, doing so by introducing defender Jarrad Branthwaite for the first time this season following hamstring surgery, and Dewsbury-Hall, who had been sidelined since December with a similar injury. Harrison Armstrong and Dwight McNeil went off.
Everton improved and were finally able to test Leeds keeper Karl Darlow, who dived to his right to save Barry’s effort.
Barry had been tireless once more and got his reward with 14 minutes left, pouncing at the near post to turn Gueye’s cross high past Darlow.
With Leeds suddenly rocking, Gueye then struck the bar with Darlow beaten.
Everton pressed for a winner, but Leeds survived with few more alarms for a well-merited point.
