Arsenal 2-0 Everton: Teenager Max Dorman stole the show with a record-breaking goal as the Gunners moved 10 points clear of Premier League leaders Manchester City.
Max Dauman and Victor Gokeres were heroes off the bench (Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Arsenal defeated Everton 2-0, leaving them 10 points behind title rivals Manchester City. 16-year-old wonder Max Doman and super-sub Victor Gökeres scored in the final minute. The Gunners struggled to break down Everton’s injury-hit defense but finally found a way out of the dying embers and strengthened their lead at the top of the Premier League.
Everton came close to scoring in the first half through Dwight McNeil and manager David Moyes went into the break emboldened. Meanwhile, manager Mikel Arteta likely chose the right words for his players as the hosts went into the second period with more determination, and their efforts paid off in the end.
Dauman’s introduction proved too much for Everton to handle, as his cross caused chaos in the 89th minute, allowing Jokeles to lift the roof with a tap-in. Dauman then scored the winning goal in stoppage time, becoming the youngest scorer in Premier League history and proving himself to be a star.
Here are five talking points from Emirates.
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1. Everton’s double punch
There was a collective groan on the away side when the team news broke. Everton were without both James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite, who played key roles in the Toffees’ recent winning run.
Moyes didn’t want to appear too disappointed before kick-off, saying: “We’re missing two centre-halves today, but we also have two who performed very well. I hope that doesn’t make a big difference.”
David Moyes was without two key players (Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
2. Arsenal furious over ‘disgraceful’ penalty decision
Following Gokeres’ assessment, it was Kai Havertz who led Arsenal’s line. The German looked understandably rusty as he continued to find the rhythm of the game, but for one moment in the first half it looked like he had outsmarted Michael Keane to earn Arsenal a penalty.
However, to the Gunners’ embarrassment, Andrew Madrid waved off the protest and VAR did not intervene. At half-time, Jamie Redknapp called the decision “an utter disgrace”.
Redknapp told Sky Sports: “Sometimes you see VAR making a decision that is not a penalty but something that everyone at home can see, but it takes five minutes.” “They took three seconds to say it wasn’t a penalty. This is absolutely disgraceful.”
Michael Keene got away with one shot (Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
3. The wood staggers away.
The first half was made even more frustrating for Arsenal due to their own injuries. Julian Timber bruised his right foot trying to stop Everton’s attack and required immediate treatment, remaining seated as McNeil rattled the post.
The defender struggled for another 20 minutes, but was eventually forced to hobble off before half-time. Cristian Mosquera was preferred over Ben White to replace Timber at right-back, but the Dutch international is now doubtful for Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg at home to Bayer Leverkusen.
Julian Timber out with injury (Image: Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
4. Arteta still looking for answers for his striker
Many will argue that Havertz was unlucky not to take the penalty, but no one will deny that he was preferred over Gökeres and missed the chance. The 26-year-old didn’t have a shot for an hour on the pitch before Arteta made his substitution and come-from-behind match-winner Gokeres was brought on as a substitute.
Noni Madueke was also sent off in place of Gabriel Martinelli. This was another day when Arsenal’s front line did not have the best fluidity.
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Mikel Arteta changed his striker after an hour (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
5. Gokeres troubles Everton again as Dauman makes history
Just as he had done in December, Gokeres scored the winning goal against Everton, effectively saving Arsenal from crisis. Dowman’s looping cross evaded Jordan Pickford and the ball fell kindly to Pierrot Hincapie, who pushed it past Joekeles for the easiest finish of his Gunners career.
But the Swede wasn’t a full-time story. When Pickford went up for a corner kick in the second half, Arsenal stole the ball through Martinelli and Dauman darted out to make history with his first goal in the top flight. Arsenal can now comfortably watch City play West Ham later on Saturday.
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