DAVID MOYES appeared to give Thierno Barry a furious rollicking during Everton’s win over Fulham.
The Scottish gaffer started the Frenchman up top at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Toffees fans were generally impressed with his performance, even though he failed to get on the scoresheet, with some labelling it his best game since his £27million summer arrival from Villarreal.
Idrissa Gueye got the opener just before half-time while Michael Keane wrapped up the 2-0 victory on 81 minutes.
But there was a talking point two minutes before the second goal.
Barry, 23, saw his number raised and Beto took his place.
And as the former France Under-21 international trudged off the field to warm applause, Moyes spoke to his striker animatedly.
His stern and serious demeanour plus angry pointing led many to think Moyes was piling in on Barry – possibly for his visibly frustrated reaction to being subbed.
And that left plenty of Everton supporters flooding to social media.
One said: “Moyes has absolutely screamed in Barry’s face then as he came off.”
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Another wrote: “Anyone else see Moyes giving Barry loads when he came off?”
A third added: “Barry put in a very good performance. So much so, he was knackered when Moyes took him off. Which makes his tantrum even more misguided and why Moyes was spot on talking to him.”
A fourth commented: “Moyes just gave it to Barry! The shove said it all. And rightly so. So petulant from Barry.”
And a final user typed: “Barry played really well but he deffo had a bust up with Moyes there and rightfully so, Moyes put him properly in his place and shoved him into the bench quite forcefully.
“Don’t know what Barry’s problem is, he played well and got a standing ovation. His attitude stinks.”
Despite the apparent bust-up, Moyes was full of praise for Barry when he spoke to the media – even though he is still looking for his first goal after 13 Everton games.
He said: “I think it is great credit because all the Evertonians know both players are looking for confidence and support.
“I thought the crowd were brilliant for Barry today but I think he gave them something to shout about and believe in and was rightly applauded coming off.
“We need those boys to keep their confidence up and when you are not scoring as a centre-forward, it’s not an easy thing to do.
“Sometimes people don’t take us seriously when we say it takes time to get adjusted. Thierno has to get used to the physicality of being a centre-forward in the Premier League, what you are going to have to come up against.
“If he was scoring you wouldn’t think about it but when he isn’t scoring he has to be very good and I thought in other parts he worked his nuts off, ran hard, was committed and did a very good job for the team today.”
Barry – who had a goal ruled out for offside – also took to his Instagram story to show his appreciation to the Toffees faithful.
He wrote: “There are things that mean more than goals. With my difficult start to the season without scoring, receiving an ovation from you today really warmed my heart and showed me that I’m on the right path.
“Once again, thank you so much.”
