David Moyes' reaction moments before Max Dowman made history for Arsenal against Everton spoke volumes
11:33, 17 Mar 2026
David Moyes reacts on the touchline to Max Dowman's goal
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David Moyes reacted on the touchline before Max Dowman's goal (Image: Arsenal )
David Moyes threw his hand up dismissively and stormed off on the touchline moments before Max Dowman’s incredible goal against Everton.
The 16-year-old wonderkid enjoyed a day he will never forget on Saturday as Arsenal beat Everton 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium. With the Gunners edging towards a disappointing 0-0 draw and a potential blow to their Premier League title hopes, Mikel Arteta replaced Martin Zubimendi with Dowman in the 74th minute.
The teenager instantly made an impact with his brilliant dribbling skills against players a decade older than him. Arteta’s faith in the youngster paid off as Dowman then put in the cross that led to Jordan Pickford’s error and Viktor Gyokeres’s 89th minute breakthrough.
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In the nervy final moments of stoppage time, the league leaders were forced to defend against a barrage of Everton attacks, including a last-gasp corner. But Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli’s headed clearances saw the ball drop to substitute Dowman.
The teenager nodded the ball past Vitaliy Mykolenko, leaving only Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to beat, who he danced around on the halfway line to have a clear run at an open net. At that exact moment, Toffees manager Moyes’ reaction on the touchline was caught by Arsenal’s bench cam, which has since been posted on the club’s social media channels.
Max Dowman breaks past Everton's Vitaly Mykolenko to score the 2nd Arsenal goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium.
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Dowman got past the two Everton defenders with ease(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Feeling a mixture of anger towards his side squandering points late on and a disbelief at how easily the teenage Dowman carved open Everton’s last line of defence, the Scot knew the youngster was certain to score from there. He waved his hand dismissively and strutted back towards his own bench as Dowman slotted the ball home.
Dowman’s goal unleashed mayhem in the stands and on the touchline as Arsenal players and coaching staff, including Arteta, erupted. By netting his first goal for his boyhood club, Dowman also became the youngest player ever to score in a Premier League game.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: David Moyes the head coach / manager of Everton during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium on March 14, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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Moyes was left frustrated with the defeat(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Despite the agonising loss, given how many chances Everton had of their own, Moyes remained gracious in defeat post-match, praising Arsenal's never-say-die defending.
When asked about the differences between Dowman and a 16-year-old Wayne Rooney, who scored his first ever goal against Arsenal late on after being handed a start by Moyes back in 2002, the manager refused to compare the two.
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He said: "I wasn’t really looking at him, I was watching my own players, to be honest. I don’t know an awful lot about the boy. He looks a talented boy, that’s for sure."
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