Everton secured a crucial victory over Ipswich, with Thierno Barry scoring the decisive goal, propelling the team to fifth in the Premier League table and maintaining their unbeaten run into the international break. The match, however, was not without its share of controversy, including a VAR decision that disallowed a second Barry goal.
The turning point in the close-fought contest came in the 67th minute when Ipswich's Abdul Fatawu received his second yellow card for simulation, leading to his dismissal. Earlier, Barry had opened the scoring with his fifth goal of the season, diverting James Tarkowski’s 25-yard volley into the net.
A second goal from Barry, a glancing header from a Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall corner, was ruled out after a VAR review. Referee Stuart Attwell, after consulting the pitch-side monitor, deemed an offside Brennan Johnson to have interfered with Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton, despite Walton making no appeal.
Despite numerous chances for Everton against Ipswich's ten men, including missed opportunities from Brennan Johnson, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Harrison Armstrong, they held on for the win. Ipswich had also started the second half strongly, with Jordan Pickford making saves from Julio Enciso and Abdoul Ouattara.