IRELAND INTERNATIONAL Evan Ferguson was on target as Roma beat struggling Lecce 2-0 in Serie A this evening, to leave them fifth in the table.
Gian Piero Gasperini handed the Meath native a third successive league start, and the manager’s faith was rewarded in the 14th minute, as Ferguson produced a clinical finish from the edge of the area.
The 21-year-old was then withdrawn on the hour mark, and his replacement, Artem Dovbyk, doubled the visitors’ advantage.
Ferguson, who was rewarded with the Player of the Match accolade tonight, has now scored three Serie A goals this season and five in all competitions.
It includes a run of four goals in the Irishman’s last six matches, having managed just one in his first 14 appearances for the Italian side.
Ferguson’s slow start at Roma and some critical remarks from Gasperini led to speculation that his season-long loan move could be cut short this month, with the Serie A outfit reportedly looking at alternative options and weighing up a move for Man United’s Joshua Zirkzee, among others.
However, Brighton CEO Paul Barber suggested in an interview published on Saturday that an imminent return to Ferguson’s parent club is “very unlikely” and his encouraging recent form may persuade Roma to keep faith with the player.
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Roma secured their first away win since 23 November to move ahead of Como, who had earlier swept aside struggling Pisa.
Gasperini’s men now have 36 points and are just one point off third spot, but have played two more matches than the top three — Inter Milan, leaders with 39 points, AC Milan second on 38 points and champions Napoli third on 37 points.
While Roma will likely struggle to remain in contention for the Scudetto until the very end, they can aim for fourth place, the final Champions League qualifying spot.
However, in addition to Juventus, they will also have to be wary of Como.
Cesc Fabregas’s side notched up a third consecutive victory in the league, thanks to three second-half goals in Tuscany to boost their hopes of elite European football.
“I never look at the standings, even though a member of my staff told me to look at them today after our victory. I’m not interested in them,” Spaniard Fabregas insisted.
Maximo Perrone put the northerners ahead after 68 minutes, with Anastasios Douvikas adding two more on 76 minutes and a late penalty after 96 minutes of play.
Como’s French goalkeeper Jean Butez, one of the revelations of the season in Italy, saved a penalty six minutes from time.
The Lombardy club, owned by Indonesian billionaires the Hartono brothers, now have 33 points, the same as Juventus.
But Como, back in the top flight since 2024 after a 21-year absence, have a game in hand against AC Milan, which they will play on March 15.
Newly-promoted Pisa, who have won only once in 19 matches, remain bottom of the table with 12 points, the same as Fiorentina and Verona.
In addition, in the late game, Juventus bounced back from their humiliating draw at home against lowly Lecce at the weekend with a 3-0 win at Sassuolo on Tuesday to reclaim fourth spot in Serie A.
Canadian forward Jonathan David was the architect of Juve’s victory with a goal and an assist for the team’s fourth win in five matches.
Dominant but wasteful, Juventus could thank home player Tarik Muharemovic for their opening goal after 16 minutes, with the Sassuolo defender turning into his own net.
Meanwhile, David made up for his missed penalty in the 1-1 draw against Lecce on Saturday, setting up Fabio Miretti for his team’s second goal after 62 minutes.
A minute later, the Canadian added the third himself after taking advantage of a poor clearance from Sassuolo goalkeeper Arijanet Muric.
Luciano Spalletti’s side are fourth with 36 points from 19 games, but have played two more matches than the top three.
“It’s a win that comes at the right time for me, but the most important thing is that we’re back to winning ways,” David insisted.
“He played a very good match; his game against Lecce was already very good, right up until his penalty, but for us, he had nothing to prove. We know the player he is,” said Spalletti.
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Evan Ferguson scores as Roma boost hopes of top 4 finish
Updated at 23.04
Serie A results on Tuesday:
IRELAND INTERNATIONAL Evan Ferguson was on target as Roma beat struggling Lecce 2-0 in Serie A this evening, to leave them fifth in the table.
Gian Piero Gasperini handed the Meath native a third successive league start, and the manager’s faith was rewarded in the 14th minute, as Ferguson produced a clinical finish from the edge of the area.
The 21-year-old was then withdrawn on the hour mark, and his replacement, Artem Dovbyk, doubled the visitors’ advantage.
Ferguson, who was rewarded with the Player of the Match accolade tonight, has now scored three Serie A goals this season and five in all competitions.
It includes a run of four goals in the Irishman’s last six matches, having managed just one in his first 14 appearances for the Italian side.
Ferguson’s slow start at Roma and some critical remarks from Gasperini led to speculation that his season-long loan move could be cut short this month, with the Serie A outfit reportedly looking at alternative options and weighing up a move for Man United’s Joshua Zirkzee, among others.
However, Brighton CEO Paul Barber suggested in an interview published on Saturday that an imminent return to Ferguson’s parent club is “very unlikely” and his encouraging recent form may persuade Roma to keep faith with the player.
Roma secured their first away win since 23 November to move ahead of Como, who had earlier swept aside struggling Pisa.
Gasperini’s men now have 36 points and are just one point off third spot, but have played two more matches than the top three — Inter Milan, leaders with 39 points, AC Milan second on 38 points and champions Napoli third on 37 points.
While Roma will likely struggle to remain in contention for the Scudetto until the very end, they can aim for fourth place, the final Champions League qualifying spot.
However, in addition to Juventus, they will also have to be wary of Como.
Cesc Fabregas’s side notched up a third consecutive victory in the league, thanks to three second-half goals in Tuscany to boost their hopes of elite European football.
“I never look at the standings, even though a member of my staff told me to look at them today after our victory. I’m not interested in them,” Spaniard Fabregas insisted.
Maximo Perrone put the northerners ahead after 68 minutes, with Anastasios Douvikas adding two more on 76 minutes and a late penalty after 96 minutes of play.
Como’s French goalkeeper Jean Butez, one of the revelations of the season in Italy, saved a penalty six minutes from time.
The Lombardy club, owned by Indonesian billionaires the Hartono brothers, now have 33 points, the same as Juventus.
But Como, back in the top flight since 2024 after a 21-year absence, have a game in hand against AC Milan, which they will play on March 15.
Newly-promoted Pisa, who have won only once in 19 matches, remain bottom of the table with 12 points, the same as Fiorentina and Verona.
In addition, in the late game, Juventus bounced back from their humiliating draw at home against lowly Lecce at the weekend with a 3-0 win at Sassuolo on Tuesday to reclaim fourth spot in Serie A.
Canadian forward Jonathan David was the architect of Juve’s victory with a goal and an assist for the team’s fourth win in five matches.
Dominant but wasteful, Juventus could thank home player Tarik Muharemovic for their opening goal after 16 minutes, with the Sassuolo defender turning into his own net.
Meanwhile, David made up for his missed penalty in the 1-1 draw against Lecce on Saturday, setting up Fabio Miretti for his team’s second goal after 62 minutes.
A minute later, the Canadian added the third himself after taking advantage of a poor clearance from Sassuolo goalkeeper Arijanet Muric.
Luciano Spalletti’s side are fourth with 36 points from 19 games, but have played two more matches than the top three.
“It’s a win that comes at the right time for me, but the most important thing is that we’re back to winning ways,” David insisted.
“He played a very good match; his game against Lecce was already very good, right up until his penalty, but for us, he had nothing to prove. We know the player he is,” said Spalletti.
Additional reporting by AFP
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