Thierno Barry has insisted that not even having his house burgled during Everton's win over Newcastle United will stop him this season. The striker's family were watching him score his seventh goal of the campaign in Thursday's Carabao Cup victory at Hill Dickinson Stadium when their home was robbed.
Family's ordeal during the match
Barry, 24, lives with his partner Charlene, who posted about the burglary on her Instagram Story in the early hours of Friday morning. Charlene, the mother of their one-year-old child, Alayna, said: "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." She added that they were willing to offer a financial reward for any information that helps identify those responsible.
Barry's defiant response
Barry acknowledged what happened in his own post on Friday evening, saying: "I took some time to write this so I wouldn't speak in the heat of the moment (something I learned from last season)."
"Honestly, regarding what happened during yesterday's match, all I can think about is that my family wasn't at home and could have been right there next to me at the stadium. Things could have been so much worse. I truly believe that nothing happens by chance."
He reflected on the incident as a lesson, stating: "The most important thing in life is to look after and protect the people you love. That's what truly matters. Everything else is just materialistic."
Season so far
Barry is already only one goal behind his tally of eight from last season. Over half of his seven so far have come in the Carabao Cup, including a hat-trick against Preston North End in the second round.
