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makes history

Arsenal’s Max Dowman celebrates after scoring the second goal yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

M AX DOWMAN, 16, pro pelled Arsenal closer to the title by becoming the Premier League’s youngest ever goalscorer in a dra matic 2-0 win against Everton yes terday. Mikel Arteta’s men are edging towards a first league title in 22 years as their advantage over City, who have a ga me in hand, now stands at nine points. Arsenal struggled to break down obdurate Everton until the teenage substitute turned the game in the final moments. Viktor Gyokeres finally found a way through in the 89th minute, with a helping hand from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford who flapped at Dowman’s cross. The ensuing scenes of delirium on the pitch and in the stands underlined the significance of a fourth successive league win. There was still time for

Arteta hails Arsenal hero as Gunners strike late at the Emirates

The Gunners have a Champions League last 16 second leg against Bayer Leverkusen next week, with the tie level at 1-1, before heading to Wembley to face City in the League Cup final. Nottingham Forest drop into the bottom three with Tottenham ahead of the Hammers now only on goal difference. Fifth-placed Chelsea were beaten by Anthony Gordon’s goal at Stamford Bridge to round off a painful week. Thrashed 5-2 at Paris Saint Germain in the last 16 first leg, Liam Rosenior’s side were breached in the 18th minute Gordon converted from Joe Willock’s pass. A rare win at Stamford Bridge propels Newcastle up to ninth and within six points of the top five. Brighton beat Sunderland 1-0 to climb into the top half thanks to Yankuba Minteh’s strike, while Burnley held Bournemouth 0-0. – AFP

But he praised his players for remaining cool under the pressure of a title race. “There are times when we have to patient because with all the dominance and the amount of shots we have when we don’t score, the anxiety is building,” added the Spaniard. “You have to stay composed, be relentless in your desire to win the game and make something hap pen. The team had the spirit today.” Arsenal, trophyless since 2020, remain in the hunt for a quadruple. The leaders rode their luck to beat a depleted Everton, adding to the mounting feeling that they will be one of the least stylistically impressive champions in recent memory if they do take the crown. But Arteta and company won’t care about that ahead of a huge week.

thing. He does what he feels and when you have such a talent, I’m sure good things are going to hap pen. “To do it at that age, in this con text, with the pressure and expec tations to win the game, it’s just not normal.” Arteta described Dowman becoming the Premier League’s youngest ever goalscorer as a “magical moment” yesterday. “It was a great moment, espe cially with the way the goal built up. We had 10 or 15 seconds to really enjoy what was about to hap pen,” said Arteta. “It was magical, all the bench and players together jumping up with the crowd, it was a beautiful day.” The release of tension inside the Emirates Stadium was evidenced in Arteta’s wild celebration of both goals after a nervy 90 minutes.

Dowman to run the length of the pitch and slot into an empty net with Pickford nowhere to be seen after coming up for an Everton cor ner in stoppage time. Aged just 16 and 73 days, Dowman is now the youngest scorer in the history of the Premier League and in Arsenal’s history. Dowman has already set records this season as Arsenal’s youngest ever starter and the Champions League’s youngest ever player, both when still 15. Not for the first time this season, Arteta’s men were devoid of a crea tive spark until Dowman’s intro duction off the bench 16 minutes from time. “He changed the game every time he got the ball. He made things happen and we looked like more of a threat,” added Arteta. “It’s natural for him. He doesn’t feel the pressure – that’s the best

Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres (2nd from left) scores the opening goal during the English Premier League match against Everton at the Emirates yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

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