Everton fall to Roma in final pre-season

Everton fell 1-0 to Roma in their final pre-season outing, prompting questions about signings and frontline depth.

Dewsbury Hall signing signals a shift for Everton as fellow newbie falters

Everton were beaten 1-0 by Roma in their final pre-season friendly at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Matias Soule scored the winner, and the result underscored the need for more attacking options before the season opener. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall produced a lively 60 minutes in the number ten role, showing the kind of creative spark the Blues have sought.

The performance also highlighted defensive steadiness in spells and a moment of goalkeeping excellence from Jordan Pickford, who kept the scoreline tight during late pressure. Everton used their new signings, including Carlos Alcaraz and Iliman Ndiaye, to varied effect, but the forward line struggled to convert chances. Thierno Barry and Beto failed to find the net in pre-season, widening questions over who leads the line. Manager Moyes may feel pressure to land another striker before the opening game against Leeds.

The game exposes a familiar tension in Everton’s transfer planning. Dewsbury-Hall offers a creative outlet that could unlock more goals, but a single midfielder cannot mask gaps up front. The back line looked reliable at times, and Pickford’s form provides reassurance, yet the squad still looks light in attack compared with rivals who have already added proven scorers. The window remains a battleground for ambition versus budget, with supporters pushing for a bold forward signing that can translate pre-season promise into league points.

Highlights

Only time will tell whether these signs translate into a more credible push for the top half.