Arsenal’s Max Dowman became the youngest player to score a goal in Premier League history, helping the Gunners to a 2–0 victory against Everton at the Emirates on Saturday.
Coming off the bench in the 74th minute, Dowman had to wait till the end of the game to etch his name into the history books.
With 90 seconds remaining of the game, Dowman created the first goal, whipping a cross into the Everton box and allowing Viktor Gyokeres to open the scoring.
Minutes later, in added time, Dowman became the tip of the spear for an Arsenal counterattack from an Everton corner, and sprinted down the length of the field to put the ball into an empty net, with Jordan Pickford still retreating from Arsenal’s half.
At 16 years and 73 days, Dowman is now the youngest player in Premier League history, having broken the record held by Everton’s James Vaughan, who was 16 years and 270 days when he scored against Crystal Palace in the 2004/05 season.
Dowman also scripted a club record with his goal against Everton, becoming the youngest scorer in the club’s history. In doing so, Dowman beat club legend Cesc Fabregas, who was 16 years, six months, and 28 days old when opened his account for the Gunners in a 5–1 victory of Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 2002/03 season.
Here is the list of the five youngest scorers in Premier League history:
1. Max Dowman (Arsenal) – 16 years, 73 days
2. James Vaughan (Everton) – 16 years, 270 days
3. James Milner (Leeds United) – 16 years, 356 days
4. Wayne Rooney (Everton) – 16 years, 360 days
5 Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool) – 16 years, 361 days
Arsenal march on towards Premier League glory
Dowman’s sublime performance for Arsenal could not have come at a better time, with the Gunners sitting on top of the Premier League with seven games remaining.
Arsenal’s victory over Everton took them to 70 points, nine clear of second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
If at all it were to come down to goal difference, Arsenal have the superior numbers there as well, with a GD of 39 over City’s 32.
With 21 wins of 31 games, Arsenal have looked rock solid all season, and it is for Mikel Arteta’s men to lose at this point, especially with City having drawn their last two games.
Will Arsenal finally end their 22-year wait for a Premier League title this season? We’ll know in a few weeks.
