Match Coverage

The Friedkin Group actually made little-known Hill Dickinson Stadium payment for Everton vs Arsenal

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Everton lost 1-0 to Arsenal on Saturday night in what was the final game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in 2025.

David Moyes was left frustrated with the officiating, as Everton could’ve had a penalty after Thierno Barry appeared to be fouled by William Saliba.

But, despite that, the Toffees ultimately lacked prowess going forward, and it highlighted the issue that a striker is needed in the January transfer window.

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Everton vs Arsenal full time score.
Credit: Getty Images/Oli SCARFF / AFP.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was really impressed with the Hill Dickinson Stadium and labelled it an ‘amazing’ ground after the game.

And, it’s actually just emerged that the Friedkin Group made a payment to enhance the experience last night.

Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images

The Friedkin Group helped pay for the tifo at the Hill Dickinson Stadium

The 1878s, who are a fan-led group that help to enhance the atmosphere at Everton, have released a statement on X thanking the Friedkins for their financial contribution to the marvellous tifo that was on show in yesterday’s game.

“Over the past few months, we’ve had discussions with the club about installing a Tifo machine in the south stand. Due to the size of the stand, this machine could not be a permanent fixture. Our flag last night was the tallest Tifo ever used in the Premier League, which requires a specially trained team to pull it up manually. This costs tens of thousands of pounds each time, and we didn’t have sufficient funds to complete it before the year ended.

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“After meetings with the engagement team and one with CEO Angus Kinnear, the club learned how much our fans and the group wanted to see this type of display at our new home. With support from the club’s owners, TFG helped bridge the gap, enabling us to deliver our first display successfully at the final home game of 2025.

“We want to thank the @friedkingroup and @Everton for making this type of display possible last night, as well as all the staff and tech team who helped us to coordinate the lighting, video, and music. Most of all, we would like to thank our fans for their brilliant contributions, which allowed us to get the sheets for the display behind the flag and also to our volunteers who helped us set up. We can’t wait for a full flag display in the new year, and hope you liked our first Tifo display. UP THE TOFFEES.”

The Friedkin Group will back David Moyes in January if the opportunity arises

As the year comes to a close, attention will quickly turn to the rapidly approaching January transfer window.

Everton CEO Angus Kinnear recently spoke to the club’s website and explained that the Friedkins’s will give Moyes funds to make signings if the opportunity is right.

“Across January, the Sky Sports transfer window ticker will countdown in milliseconds in an attempt to whip up a trading frenzy amongst their viewers, but all our experience demonstrates how challenging the winter market is to deliver quality and value. We will work towards identifying and executing opportunities that will make us stronger in the long term.

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“But these opportunities will need to be exceptional, and we will avoid short-term fixes that will weaken our hand for phase two of our rebuild next summer.”

The Toffees are exploring a deal to sign Artem Dovbyk from AS Roma, so that would be a doable deal considering the Friedkins own the Italian-based club.