EVAN PLAYS A 'BYK-PART ROLE

IRELAND striker Evan Ferguson started on the bench for Roma as they defeated Hellas Verona 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico yesterday.

- BY DEREK FOLEY

The hosts opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Artem Dovbyk - on-loan star Ferguson's rival for a striking position - headed home from the back post.

Roma were lucky enough to hang on to their lead as Verona squandered a number of great chances and their 'keeper Mile Svilar produced a number of good saves.

Boys in Green ace Ferguson was brought on for Dovbyk at the hour mark some 19 minutes before Matias Soulé posted Roma's second goal, with the former not involved in the move.

"We had problems today that we hadn't in other games," said Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini, whose side secured their fourth win in five Serie A fixtures to move to 12 points.

"It was obvious that some players were struggling with sharpness today. When Verona pushed forward, they were able to pass it around with greater ease than usual.