Double Late Blow Consigns Everton To Defeat At Arsenal

Two late goals consigned Everton to a cruel defeat at the home of title-chasing Arsenal in a game that could easily have gone the Blues' way.

The Toffees – dealt a blow ahead of kick-off with James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite both unavailable – created the better opportunities of the contest until substitute Viktor Gyokeres broke the deadlock with a close-range strike in the 89th minute.

Max Dowman then made history with the final kick of the game, rounding off a breakaway – after Everton had committed all 11 players forward for a last-gasp corner – to become the Premier League's youngest-ever scorer at 16 years and 73 days.

Dwight McNeil twice went close to opening the scoring in the first half – first denied by a miraculous block from Riccardo Calafiori before the Blues winger struck the post with a brilliant long-range effort from 25 yards.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also threatened in the opening period, only to be denied by a strong David Raya save.

Beto then forced the Gunners goalkeeper into action in the opening stages of the second half, forcing a low shot on target after the hosts failed to deal with a corner.

In truth, the Gunners barely looked like scoring and it came out of the blue in the closing stages when Pickford parried Dowman's cross and Gyokeres applied a simple finish.

Dowman then netted at the end to send Mikel Arteta's side 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Next up for the Toffees is a clash with Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday 21 March (5.30pm GMT).