A Breakthrough Moment for the Young Striker
Evan Ferguson finally opened his Serie A account, scoring his first competitive goal for Roma in a solid win over Cremonese. The 19-year-old Republic of Ireland forward, who arrived on a season-long loan from Brighton in July, made an immediate impact after coming off the bench in the second half.
Just four minutes into his appearance, Ferguson guided a composed finish into the bottom corner from inside the box, a moment Roma fans had been eagerly waiting for since his arrival.
Ending the Goal Drought
Ferguson had previously scored four goals on his unofficial Roma debut — a 9-0 pre-season victory over Serie D side UniPomezia — but had yet to find the net in a competitive match for Gian Piero Gasperini’s team. This goal, therefore, represents an important personal step after a challenging spell marked by an ankle injury and a drop in form.
Matias Soule and Wesley Franca added Roma’s other goals, while Francesco Folino struck late for Cremonese, earning a consolation deep into stoppage time at Stadio Giovanni Zini.
Roma Rise to the Top
The win proved crucial in the title race, sending Roma to the top of the Serie A table following Inter Milan’s defeat to rivals AC Milan the previous evening. It marks another strong showing from Gasperini’s side, which has combined solid defensive work with clinical attacking movement.
Ferguson’s Journey Back to Form
The Irish striker’s return from an ankle injury was another positive sign. That setback forced him to miss Roma’s final three fixtures before the international break, delaying his opportunity to fully integrate into Gasperini’s tactical setup.
Once considered one of the Premier League’s most promising young forwards, Ferguson struggled last season at Brighton, scoring just one goal — more than a year ago against Wolves — and eventually slipping down the squad hierarchy. His loan move to Italy has been seen as a chance to rebuild confidence, sharpen his finishing, and gain consistent minutes at a top European club.
So far this season, he has appeared in eight of Roma’s 12 league matches, as well as three Europa League games, showing Gasperini’s willingness to keep him involved even while he works his way back to peak sharpness.
A Match With Familiar Names
On the opposite side, former Leicester City star Jamie Vardy — now with Cremonese — completed the full 90 minutes. Vardy has scored two goals for his new club this season but was unable to make an impact in this fixture as Roma controlled the rhythm from start to finish.
A Goal That Could Spark a Revival
For Ferguson, this long-awaited Serie A goal may represent the turning point he needed. Once hailed as the next big Irish center-forward and admired for his strength, intelligent movement, and powerful finishing, the young striker now seems poised to reassert himself at the highest level.
His confidence has been steadily building, and this milestone might finally unlock the form Roma hoped he would bring when they secured his signature in July.
