Everton’s Hill Dickinson debut ended in disappointment on Saturday evening as Roma claimed a 1-0 win, leaving the Toffees without a victory during their pre-season.
Roma may have had more possession and shots than Everton in the first 45 minutes, but it was the hosts that appeared most likely to open the scoring as they missed two big chances, with James Tarkowski and Thierno Barry both failing to find the net from superb opportunities, leaving the game goalless heading into the break.
The second half was much more one sided in Roma's favour, with the visitors taking 16 shots throughout the 45 minutes, and they were rewarded for their attacking threat as Matias Soule curled in a stunner in the 70th minute to give the Wolves a 1-0 victory.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Everton's miserable pre-season will leave David Moyes with plenty to worry about heading into the new Premier League campaign, with the Toffees failing to win any of their six friendly matches - four losses and two draws.
The first half performance actually had plenty of promise, with Everton looking the more likely to score as they created two big chances while also limiting Roma to only two shots on target, but their performance changed for the worse in the second 45.
The Toffees fell apart defensively in the second half, with Roma allowed a massive 16 shots throughout the second period, including for Soule's winning strike.
EVERTON VS. ROMA HIGHLIGHTS
70th min: Everton 0-1 Roma (Matias Soule)
Roma open the scoring - stunning from Soule!
Gianluca Mancini plays the ball to Soule just inside the Everton penalty area, and the Argentinian quickly cuts into a more central position to work the shooting angle.
Soule's effort curls around the defender, past Jordan Pickford and into the bottom left corner to give Roma the lead, a superb finish from the forward.
MAN OF THE MATCH - GIANLUCA MANCINI
Gianluca Mancini of Roma making a tackle on August 9, 2025
Mancini was a rock at the heart of Roma's back three this evening, with the Italian central defender making two tackles, one interception and winning eight duels - the most of any player in the match.
Mancini also showed his quality in possession with 44 accurate passes, including two key passes as well as registering the assist for Soule's strike.
Several others could have also won the award, with Pickford, Soule and Angelino all particularly impressive throughout the 90 minutes.
EVERTON VS. ROMA MATCH STATS
Possession: Everton 47%-53% Roma
Shots: Everton 10-23 Roma
Shots on target: Everton 4-6 Roma
Corners: Everton 5-10 Roma
Fouls: Everton 9-7 Roma
WHAT NEXT?
Everton's defeat means they end pre-season without a win from six friendly fixtures, and they will be hoping to end that streak with a victory over Leeds United in their first Premier League game of the campaign on August 18.
As for Roma, today's victory means they end pre-season with five wins and only one loss, and they will be looking to build on that momentum when they take on Bologna in the opening Serie A match on August 23.
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