Max Dowman made a huge impact after coming off the bench as Premier League leaders Arsenal secured a dramatic 2-0 victory over Everton at the death, a result that temporarily extends their advantage at the top of the table to 10 points while maintaining an unbeaten run in their last seven H2Hs with the Toffees.
Match Report
Arsenal are often associated with dangerous corners delivered through precise crosses and powerful headers, but the first chance of the match came from a short routine when Declan Rice rolled the ball to Noni Madueke, whose effort was saved by Jordan Pickford.
The Gunners showed attacking intent early on, piling up attempts inside the opening 15 minutes. Idrissa Gueye blocked efforts from Riccardo Calafiori and Martin Zubimendi, while Calafiori, Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze all sent their shots off target.
Despite Arsenal’s pressure, the hosts were nearly caught out at the other end. Only a superb improvised block from Calafiori denied Dwight McNeil from close range, before the Everton winger struck the post with a curling long-range effort.
The contest quickly became intense, with Eze striking Zubimendi with a shot from distance before Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall unleashed a powerful drive from outside the box that David Raya pushed away.
There was also a setback for Arsenal before half-time as Jurrien Timber was forced off injured in the 38th minute, while Iliman Ndiaye rushed out to stop Saka from creating a chance before the interval.
Everton remained dangerous after the break, with Beto denied by Raya’s outstretched boot. At the other end, Saka and Calafiori each had attempts blocked by Michael Keane as the visitors held firm defensively.
Pickford later produced another save to keep out Saka as Arsenal continued searching for a breakthrough, prompting Mikel Arteta to introduce Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli shortly after the hour mark.
It began to feel as though something extraordinary would be required to unlock Everton’s defence, and Eze nearly delivered with a curling shot that drifted narrowly wide.
Arsenal then began trying their luck from distance, with Eze again testing Pickford, while Dowman fired an effort high and harmlessly over the bar.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 89th minute when Pickford misjudged Dowman’s cross, allowing the ball to ricochet off Piero Hincapie and fall kindly for Gyökeres to finish.
After assisting the opener, Dowman produced a moment of his own brilliance as the 16-year-old sprinted forward and became the youngest goalscorer in PL history, finding the net with Pickford stranded after going up for a late corner.
The win gives the Gunners their fourth straight PL victory, putting them 10 points clear of Manchester City ahead of their clash with West Ham.
It also ended Everton’s run of three matches without defeat.
