Everton’s lack of attacking threat cost David Moyes dearly in Saturday afternoon’s defeat against Chelsea.

Heading into the game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Moyes admitted Thierno Barry is missing too many chances as he leads the league with the number of ‘big chances’ missed. This was the case on Saturday as the Frenchman failed to score his header that Jack Grealish put on a plate for him.

Despite this, former Everton defender Joleon Lescott has said he has personally seen Moyes get creative during his time on Merseyside with his options up top.

David Moyes urged to test Thierno Barry alternatives at Everton

Barry could have given Everton the lead in the opening 45 minutes but he was unable to direct his header from close range either side of Emi Martinez. It proved a costly miss as the Frenchman’s inconsistencies in front of goal continue.

“I’ve seen David Moyes play with Marouane Fellaini and Tim Cahill up front. They have minimal numbers in certain positions, maybe Brendan Johnson, and just play a different way in regards to not going direct to him, going for him down the channel a little bit more,” Lescott said on TNT Sports after full time.

“For me, the issue with Barry is just finishing. To be fair, that’s going to happen, strikers aren’t going to finish every opportunity they get. I think the ball retention is so key. I think that’s where the frustration is going to come from the manager and his teammates, because when they’re under pressure, like against Chelsea, when they go up to him, it doesn’t stick. All of a sudden, you’re under sustained pressure, and then you can’t get out. I think that’s where the improvement needs to come before we start criticising every opportunity he doesn’t score.”

The Everton striker did manage to get all three of his shots on target but the 23-year-old was unable to get the better of Martinez. Due to Everton’s lack of options, it meant that the struggling striker played the full 90 minutes which is certainly an issue.

Johnson is yet to score for Everton in the Premier League after seeing his effort last weekend against Hull City disallowed. The Wales international’s cameo appearance against Chelsea left a lot to be desired out on the right-wing.

Having lost the ball 10 times out of his 21 touches, there are clear areas for Barry to work on during the week and a tactical change from Moyes to provide him with a partner could be an option. Brennan Johnson has not shown enough since he joined the club but Lescott clearly feels that the former Tottenham Hotspur winger could potentially play alongside Barry.