Dowman makes history as Arsenal strike late, Man City held by West Ham
Max Dowman became the Premier League's youngest ever goalscorer (Ben STANSALL) Max Dowman, 16, propelled Arsenal closer to the title by becoming the Premier League's youngest ever goalscorer in a dramatic 2-0 win against Everton on Saturday as Manchester City stumbled in a 1-1 draw at West Ham. Mikel Arteta's men are edging towards a first league title in 22 years as their advantage over City, who have a game in hand, now stands at nine points. Arsenal struggled to break down obdurate Everton until the teenage substitute turned the game in the final moments.
Viktor Gyokeres finally found a way through in the 89th minute, with a helping hand from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford who flapped at Dowman's cross. The ensuing scenes of delirium on the pitch and in the stands underlined the significance of a fourth successive league win. There was still time for Dowman to run the length of the pitch and slot into an empty net with Pickford nowhere to be seen after coming up for an Everton corner in stoppage time.
Aged just 16 and 73 days, Dowman is now the youngest scorer in the history of the Premier League and in Arsenal's history. "He changed the game every time he got the ball. He made things happen and we looked like more of a threat," added Arteta.
"To do it at that age, in this context, with the pressure and expectations to win the game, it's just not normal. " Arsenal, trophyless since 2020, remain in the hunt for a quadruple. The leaders rode their luck to beat a depleted Everton, adding to the mounting feeling that they will be one of the least stylistically impressive champions in recent memory if they do take the crown.
But Arteta and company won't care about that ahead of a huge week. The Gunners have a Champions League last-16 second leg against Bayer Leverkusen next week, with the tie level at 1-1, before heading to Wembley to face City in the League Cup final. City's season is in danger of coming off the rails as West Ham clung on for a point that lifted them out of the relegation zone for the first time in three months.