The big one-six: Max Dowman becomes the youngest ever Premier League scorer
Max Dowman broke Premier League history as he was the difference maker in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton. The 16-year-old came onto the pitch in the 74th minute, the score line being level. And his quality was shown in the last minutes of the match. In the 89th minute his wonderful cross found fullback Piero Hincaple, which then bobbled to Victor Gyokeres’ feet and ended up in the back of the net. Giving The Gunners a massive boost in the race for the Premier League title. And this wasn’t the end of the young Englishman’s magic. In the last minute of the fixture Everton were awarded a corner, which Jordan Pickford went up for. Dowman then picked up a loose ball from the clearance of the corner and produced a breath taking moment in Premier League history. He easily glided past two Everton defenders and then rolled the ball into an empty net, making him the youngest ever Premier League scorer. A real statement from the youngster, who made a real impact and may well be a key factor in Arsenal’s push for Premier League and European glory. Does he deserve a start in next week’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City?
“Refocused” Kilmarnock will be a tough assignment for Hearts – McCann
Neil McCann promises that leaders Hearts will be given a “tough game” by his wounded Kilmarnock side, who suffered a damning defeat to high-flying Falkirk in their last league encounter. The Ayrshire team have had 2 weeks to stew on the 5-1 defeat, but believes the break allowed his side to “refocus”. “We’ve had a wee bit of extra time to stew on that defeat from Falkirk, which looked totally out of character in terms of performances that we’ve produced since I’ve been here. “I think everything that could go wrong did go wrong, and we were punished by a really good side. “What it has done is give us a wee bit of time to actually look at where we’ve gone wrong in that game, in particular. “With a mix of just giving the boys a wee bit of time away as well because we have been training them hard, so it’s been beneficial, I hope to everybody.” McCann expects a reaction from his team, who “look forward” to welcoming Derek McInnes’ side. “I’ve never seen anything other than a brilliant attitude in training since I’ve been in here. I’ve been talking about the attitude of the boys and what we’ve been asking them to do, of course. “They are gonna be a wee bit low when they return from that defeat and so we should be it was a sore one for everybody to take. “We were really disappointed in ourselves, the show we put on, in most of the other games, I think you can say we’ve been right in, and looking like a threat. “But it has given up a wee bit of a jolt at a good point of the season, actually, with the four games coming up before the split “It’s maybe refocused our minds, we look forward to welcoming hearts here at Rugby Park.” McCann believes his side will be tough outfit for the Gorgie side to crack. “Hearts are going great, and its gonna be a really tough game, they are coming here with their own pressures, to stay at the top of the table, and I think they’ll be thinking this is a hard game. “I honestly do believe that they’ll be expecting a tough game from us down here and I think we’ve been really good at home of late, so we’ve got to continue that for, and belief. Hopefully, we get a big crowd behind us” The manager added that there were no injury scares, his side were “pretty strong” and had a “full group training today [Friday]”.
Hibs 0-0 Livingston: Hibs held to goalless draw by Livingston at Easter Road
Hibs were made to settle for a point apiece against bottom of the table Livingston on Saturday afternoon at Easter Road with Marvin Bartley’s Livingston earning themselves a fourth consecutive draw. David Gray’s men had plenty of chances to win the match, hitting the woodwork twice as Livingston defended strongly throughout to earn a point. Both sides started the game slowly, but it was the visitors who managed to create the first opportunity of the match. Stevie May’s strike from close range was initially poorly pushed away by Raphael Sallinger, Rocky Bushiri was the first to react and clear the loose ball from any danger. Jamie McGrath came the closest to opening the scoring for the hosts after the 20th minute. Nicky Cadden, who was causing the Livingston defence all sorts of problems, played a low ball into the feet of McGrath whose first effort at goal inside the box was blocked before his follow up attempt cannoned off the crossbar. Hibs threatened once more as Warren O’Hora’s headed effort sailed just wide of goal after another dangerous cross was played into the box by Nicky Cadden, Hibs continued to dictate proceedings with much of the match being played in Livingston’s half. As the half time interval approached, Livingston striker Joel Nouble saw himself at the heart of a rare attack from the visitors, his curling effort from the edge of the box forced goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger into making a routine save. It was a first half that was very much controlled by the home team, but despite that, Livingston’s backline had done well to deal with Hibs’ constant pressure and cancel out any chance of a first half opener for the hosts. Hibs carved out two promising opportunities within the opening fifteen minutes of the second half, Dan Barlaser played an inviting ball towards the back post for Nicky Cadden, who was unable to get a proper connection onto the ball to steer it goalwards. Jamie McGrath would then collect another low cross that was sent into the box from Nicky Cadden, the Irishman was made to watch his strike come off the woodwork for the second time this afternoon, inches away from an opening goal. On the hour mark, Hibs boss David Gray turned to his bench as Martin Boyle and Tottenham loanee Dane Scarlett entered the field of play in hope of making an impact, with frustration beginning to grow amongst the Easter Road support. Livingston then had their first chance of the second half having been pinned back into their own half for the majority of the second half, Robbie Muirhead made a bursting run down the left-hand side, but his effort went comfortably wide of the Hibs goal. With ten minutes remaining, another huge chance came Hibs’ way as Jerome Prior did brilliantly to deny Dane Scarlett an opener from close range, Josh Campbell was then presented with the rebound only a few yards from goal, but he could only put his effort over the crossbar. Referee Lloyd Wilson awarded Hibs a spot kick in the 90th minute after Martin Boyle was said to have been brought down in the box by Mo Sylla, but an on-field VAR check meant the decision was quickly overturned which resulted in Boyle being shown a yellow card for simulation. Despite registering over twenty shots on goal, Hibs were forced to settle for a point as they failed to break down a resilient Livingston side who defended exceptionally well for large spells in the game. Up next for Hibs is a trip to Fir Park next weekend to face Motherwell who are six points above them in fourth place, whereas Livingston travel to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock who are six points above them in 11th place.
Derek McInnes highlights the fans impact ahead of Kilmarnock
Derek McInnes spoke to the media as his side makes the journey to Kilmarnock this weekend in the hopes of extending their lead at the top of the table. McInnes said “The fans will be in fine form. I mean there is no two ways about it” “I think we could play at 4 in the morning, and I think our fans would be there. That’s the way it feels at the minute” “We feel as if they just want to follow us, and the backing we get home and away has been first class this season” “So when we run out at Rugby Park for the warm up and the lads see that, it feels like a big game right away.” “It also feels like a big game for the opponents and it feels like a cup tie.” “A lot of our better moments have been, so many at Tynecastle but a lot of the good memories already this season and the good moments have been away from home” “Saturday is going to be another opportunity to have that” The Jambos are currently 6 points clear of Rangers in the title race with Celtic 8 points behind in third. As the Hearts head coach travels to face his old team with only 9 games remaining in the league it holds immense pressure to win and push his side to winning the title.
