Kerr strikes as Tillies charge into Semi | 02:24
**AFP with Fox Sports from Afp**
March 15th, 2026 7:11 am
Max Dowman became the youngest ever goalscorer in the Premier League as the 16-year-old inspired Arsenal’s late surge to beat Everton 2-0 on Saturday and close in on a first Premier League title for 22 years.
The Gunners struggled to break down a dogged Everton defence for 89 minutes until Dowman’s cross fell to Viktor Gyokeres to open the scoring.
The teenager then ran from deep inside his own half to roll into an empty net after Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford ventured forward for a corner in stoppage time.
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“It was a great moment, especially with the way the goal built up,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports.
“We had 10 or 15 seconds to really enjoy what was about to happen.
“It was magical, all the bench and players together jumping up with the crowd, it was a beautiful day.
“He changed the game every time he got the ball. He made things happen and we looked like more of a threat. To do it at that age, in this context, with the pressure and expectations to win the game, it’s just not normal.”
Gyokeres added: “It’s incredible. You can see how he plays, he plays so calm and without feat every time he gets the ball.
“He takes the right decisions most of the time as well. You can see with the goal, he definitely took the right one. An amazing player and a great goal for him.
“We’re behind him as we’re behind everyone one of us. That’s why we play good.”
Arsenal's Viktor Gyoekeres and Max Dowman. AP Photo/Kin Cheung)Source: AP
Victory opens up a 10-point lead for Arsenal at the top of the table ahead of Manchester City, who have two games in hand.
Mikel Arteta’s men remain on course for an unprecedented quadruple of trophies, but again lacked for a creative spark until Dowman’s introduction as a late substitute.
For the first time this season Kai Havertz started a Premier League game up front as Arteta dropped top-scorer Gyokeres to the bench.
Havertz could not believe he was not awarded a penalty midway through the first half when the German international appeared to be clipped by Michael Keane as he burst clear on goal.
Everton were without first-choice centre-backs James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite, but kept the hosts at arm’s length and provided a punch going forward.
Dwight McNeil curled a fine effort off the post early on and only a fine save by David Raya denied Beto early in the second period.
Despite their advantage at the top of the table, the tension around the Emirates Stadium spilled from the stands onto the pitch in the second half.
The home side were largely restricted to pot shots from range as Pickford parried Eberechi Eze’s powerful drive.
Arteta turned to Dowman for inspiration and he duly delivered with some help from Pickford.
The England goalkeeper got caught under the winger’s cross and the ball rebounded kindly off Piero Hincapie into the path of Gyokeres, who could not miss.
Arteta sprinted down the touchline in jubilation and there was an even greater outpouring of joy deep into stoppage time.
Dowman coolly sidestepped Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall inside his own half before sprinting clear on goal unchallenged to make Premier League history.
At 16 and 73 days he breaks James Vaughan’s record as the youngest scorer in the competition’s history.
“Job done from our side,” Arteta added.
“The performance on every level was very good. We are playing every three days and the players deserve a lot of credit.
“We want to create memories and moments and I’m sure for many years, people that were in the stadium today will say, ‘I was at the Emirates when that kid at 16 scored that goal in such an important moment of the season.’”