Arsenal had to wait until the last few minutes to finally break Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, and when they did, it was 16-year-old Max Dowman who made history.
The game started slowly. Everton came close early when Dwight McNeil rattled the post, and David Raya had to make a couple of smart saves to keep the Gunners in it. Arsenal had the ball most of the time but couldn’t find a clear opening.
Everton’s defence stayed tight, making every move frustratingly hard.
Then, in the 89th minute, it happened.
Dowman came off the bench and whipped in a cross that sent Everton’s defenders into a panic. Viktor Gyokeres reacted quickest and tapped the ball home. Relief for Arsenal, heartbreak for Everton.
Everton went all out after that, leaving space at the back. Deep into stoppage time, Dowman picked the ball up, ran at the empty space, and calmly slotted it into the net. 2–0. The Emirates erupted.
At just 16 years old, Dowman became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history, breaking a record that had stood for over two decades.
A teenager. On his debut. Scoring in the Premier League. Not something you see every day.
Arsenal controlled the ball, had plenty of shots, but it was Dowman’s late brilliance that made the difference.
Everton frustrated them for most of the game, but in the end, the teenager wrote his name in the history books.
