An 89th-minute Viktor Gyokeres goal before Max Dowman made Premier League history by becoming the competition’s youngest-ever scorer saw us clinch a precious win against Everton at a jubilant Emirates Stadium.
We threw everything at Everton throughout the 90 minutes and Jordan Pickford was kept fairly busy throughout, although the Toffees went closest to getting in front in the first half when Dwight McNeil hit the woodwork after 16 minutes.
But just as it looked like we might have to settle for a frustrating goalless draw for our efforts, a trio of substitutes combined to capitalise on a Pickford mistake as Dowman’s cross hit Piero Hincapie, and Gyokeres tapped home, before Dowman scored a sensational breakaway goal in the final seconds to move us 10 points clear of Manchester City before they play later this evening.
Frantic first 45
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We came out of the traps with plenty of attacking intent. Noni Madueke was first to test Pickford with a blast after a short corner, before Riccardo Calafiori missed the target with a volley from a good position after Martin Zubimendi had time to juggle the ball inside the box.
Chances were piling up quickly, and before the 15-minute mark was passed, Bukayo Saka dragged one wide before his header forced his England teammate into a spectacular low save but the offside flag was up. But after enduring that early onslaught, two huge chances fell the visitors' way in quick succession.
Some silky play by Iliman Ndiaye saw him send a teasing cross into the box which David Raya could only palm to Dwight McNeil but an incredible block by the grounded Calafiori snuffled out the danger, however ony momentarily as the Everton winger quickly recollected possession and bent a shot off the crossbar from 25 yards, with the riccochet hitting Ndiaye and, thankfully for us, bouncing wide of the target.
It was evident that Everton had, as expected, arrived at Emirates Stadium full of confidence having won their last two matches and not tasting defeat in their previous six league away games. They continued to look dangerous in the final third with Raya forced to push away a Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall effort from outside the box before half-time.
Hanging in the balance
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The first half was strange in that only twice this season had we recorded more shots in the first half of a league game than the 13 we sent towards the Toffees goal, although David Moyes’ team had come the closest to scoring - and they continued to look threatening after the restart when Beto shot on the turn after a corner, forcing Raya to save with and outstretched foot.
The home crowd really began to turn up the decibel levels with their team unable to break down the third-meanest defence in the division this term, and blue shirts continued to block and repel all our attempts, and when we did get through, Pickford managed to get just enough on a low Saka effort on the hour mark.
As the noise grew, so did the pressure and Ebere Eze went agonisingly close to grabbing us the lead when he let fly with a first-time effort from the edge of the box and grasping thin air, Pickford was relieved to see it drop past the post, and the same fate fell Raya’s way when a dangerous free-kick was flicked towards his own goal by William Saliba but missed the target.
History made
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The game was played at a frenetic pace throughout, and continued right the way into the final stages. Eze tested Pickford again with a shot from distance which was beaten away, and the intensity grew and grew. And finally, with one minute to go, we finally knocked the Everton door down.
Mikel Arteta has thrown on Dowman with 15 minutes to go, and the 16-year-old was lively during his time on the pitch, no more so when he whipped a cross towards the back post, and Pickford rashly charged out of his own and missed. The ball struck Hincapie, and dropped perfectly for Gyokeres to score his easiest goal of the season - but the most important so far.
Gabriel Martinelli then saw a dipping strike tipped over by Pickford, who then charged forward for a late Everton corner as they tried to hit back. However, after it was cleared to the edge of the box it fell to Dowman 75 yards from goal.
He sped past Vitali Mykolenko and then skipped over another challenge to leave him through on goal with the net empty, allowing him the simple task to become the Premier League’s youngest-ever scorer aged 16 years and 73 days - and complete an afternoon that’ll live long in the memory.
What's next
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We're back at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday when we host Bayer Leverkusen, looking to get the win we need to advance into the Champions League quarter-finals. Then we're off to Wembley for the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, March 22 against Manchester City, before we have two weeks off as the final international break takes place.
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