Max Dowman became the Premier League's youngest ever scorer as Arsenal came from behind to beat Everton 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium, a result that significantly boosted their title aspirations. The 16-year-old midfielder, who had yet to take his GCSEs, was introduced as a 74th-minute substitute and immediately changed the game.
Dowman provided the cross for Viktor Gyökeres to tap in the opener after a fortunate ricochet involving Jordan Pickford and Piero Hincapié. But the moment of magic came in stoppage time when Dowman collected the ball on the halfway line, skipped past two challenges, and coolly rolled a finish into an empty net after Everton goalkeeper Pickford had gone forward for a corner.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described the goal as 'one of the best moments at the Emirates', adding: 'It felt like 45 seconds as Max ran through. It was building up and building up. You see there's no goalie. It's going to happen, it's going to happen. It was incredible.'
Everton had been a formidable opponent, with David Moyes' side creating several clear chances. Dwight McNeil struck the post, Iliman Ndiaye forced a smart save from David Raya, and Riccardo Calafiori produced a stunning block to deny McNeil from point-blank range. Moyes called that defensive intervention 'unbelievable'.
The victory, sealed late, gives Arsenal renewed hope in the title race, with the team now needing just a few more results to end a 22-year wait for the league crown. The performance was all the more impressive given Arsenal lost Jurriën Timber to injury in the first half, but they held firm and struck decisively when it mattered.
