Dowman creates history with late Arsenal goals as Chelsea suffer defeat
Arsenal took a significant stride towards the Premier League crown when Max Dowman etched his name into the record books as the youngest ever scorer in the competition during a thrilling 2-0 victory over Everton, meanwhile Chelseas push for a top four finish suffered a setback with a 1-0 loss to Newcastle on Saturday.
Mikel Artetas team found it tough to penetrate a stubborn Everton defence until the dying stages at the Emirates Stadium.
However Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres eventually broke the deadlock in the 89th minute thanks to an error from Everton keeper Jordan Pickford.
Pickford failed to connect with Dowmans delivery and Piero Hincapie knocked the ball back into the six-yard area allowing Gyokeres to side-foot it home into an unguarded goal.
The wild celebrations among the players and supporters highlighted the importance of Arsenals fourth straight league triumph.
Dowman then had the chance to sprint the full length of the field and finish coolly with Pickford absent following an Everton corner that sparked a swift Arsenal breakaway in the closing moments.
At only 16 years old Dowman holds the distinction of being the Premier Leagues youngest goalscorer and also Arsenals youngest ever.
The Gunners now lead second-placed Manchester City by 10 points with City set to play West Ham at the London Stadium in the evenings feature match.
Arsenal who have not lifted silverware since 2020 are chasing their first English league title in 22 years.
The title hopefuls were fortunate to overcome Everton in a patchy display but this result fuels the growing sense that they could become one of the less visually appealing champions if they secure the trophy.
Yet Arteta and his squad are unconcerned with aesthetics as they prepare for a crucial upcoming schedule.
The Gunners face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last-16 second leg next week with the aggregate at 1-1 before travelling to Wembley for the League Cup final against City.
Arsenals next league outing is not until April 11 against Bournemouth.
Chelsea shaken
Citys meeting with West Ham marks the first of their two fixtures in hand over Arsenal with Pep Guardiolas team also due to host the frontrunners in April.
City need to recover from their midweek Champions League last-16 first leg loss at Real Madrid in a game that carries weight for teams at both ends of the standings.
West Ham occupy a position in the drop zone but a win against City could see them overtake Nottingham Forest and Tottenham.
Chelsea in fifth were undone by Anthony Gordons strike at Stamford Bridge capping off a tough week.
After a 5-2 hammering by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last-16 opener Liam Roseniors charges conceded in the 18th minute as Tino Livramentos pass let Joe Willock race through to set up Gordon for a calm strike.
Chelsea sit three points behind Aston Villa and Manchester United despite having played one more match than their top-four competitors.
Brighton secured a 1-0 win over Sunderland to rise into the upper reaches of the Premier League table while second-from-bottom Burnley drew 0-0 with Bournemouth.
Sunderland had gone unbeaten in their opening 11 home matches upon returning to the top division but have now dropped their previous three at the Stadium of Light leaving them in 12th spot.
Yankuba Minteh netted the winner as his effort inexplicably crept past keeper Melker Ellborg at the near post.
Brighton now edge ahead of the Black Cats on goal difference occupying 10th place.
The goalless encounter at Turf Moor offered scant benefit to either team with Burnley edging nearer the bottom and Bournemouth unable to close the gap to the European positions.
The Clarets remain eight points from safety with eight matches left.
Bournemouth stay in ninth just three points off Brentford who hold what should be the last European qualification place in seventh.