Arsenal moved a step closer to the Premier League title as Max Dowman became the competition’ youngest ever goalscorer in a dramatic 2-0 win against Everton, while Chelsea’s top four bid was dented a 1-0 defeat against Newcastle on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s side struggled to break down obdurate Everton until the closing moments at the Emirates Stadium.
But Sweden forward Viktor Gyokeres finally found a way through in the 89th minute, with a helping hand from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Pickford completely missed Dowman’s cross and Piero Hincapie bundled the ball back into the six-yard box for Gyokeres to tap into the empty net.
The ensuing scenes of delirium on the pitch and in the stands underlined the significance of Arsenal’s fourth successive league win.
There was still time for Dowman to run the length of the pitch and slot home with Pickford nowhere to be seen after coming up for an Everton corner that ended in a rapid Arsenal counter-attack in the final seconds.
Dowman, aged just 16, is the youngest scorer in the history of the Premier League, as well as Arsenal’s youngest scorer.
The Gunners are now 10 points ahead of second-placed Manchester City, who face West Ham at the London Stadium in the day’s late kick-off.
Arsenal, trophyless since 2020, are hunting a first English title in 22 years.
The quadruple chasers rode their luck to beat Everton despite a disjointed performance, 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.
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.
Arsenal don’t play in the league again until April 11 when they meet Bournemouth.
