Max Dowman, a 16-year-old Arsenal winger, became the Premier League’s youngest-ever scorer with a remarkable stoppage-time goal in his team’s 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday.
Dowman collected the ball midway in his own half, dribbled around two Everton players and raced clear unchallenged from the halfway line to tap into an empty net, with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford stranded upfield having gone forward for a corner.
Dowman — at 16 years, 73 days — was playing just his third Premier League match after two previous substitute appearances at the start of the season.
He broke the record of former Everton player James Vaughan, who was 16 years, 270 days when he scored against Crystal Palace in 2005.
In November, Dowman became the youngest player in Champions League history at 15 years, 308 days when he entered as a second-half substitute against Slavia Prague.
Dowman is still in school. He was 14 when he was asked by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to train with the senior team in December last year, and he starred on the club’s preseason tour of Asia in matches against AC Milan and Newcastle.
To abide by Premier League regulations for players under 18, Dowman has to change into his Arsenal kit for training sessions and matches in a separate locker room than his senior teammates.
Dowman played a key role in Arsenal’s win Saturday, also providing the cross that proved critical in Viktor Gyökeres finally breaking the deadlock with a minute remaining.
The victory put Arsenal 10 points clear of second-place Manchester City, though having played two games more, as they took another step closer to a first Premier League title in 22 years.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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