Gary Neville explains why he had to call his wife while watching Arsenal

Arsenal teenager Max Dowman made Premier League history by becoming the youngest ever goalscorer in the competition's 2-0 win over Everton, leaving Gary Neville 'emotional'

Gary Neville has revealed he became "emotional" while watching Arsenal as Max Dowman netted his first Premier League goal during Saturday's 2-0 victory over Everton.

The Gunners were winning 1-0 courtesy of Viktor Gyokeres' 90th-minute effort when Dowman weaved through the defence and slotted the ball into an empty net after Jordan Pickford had ventured forward for a stoppage-time corner.

Dowman had collected possession inside his own half and bypassed Vitaliy Mykolenko and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall before advancing to the edge of the Everton penalty area and finishing with his left foot.

The strike prompted euphoric celebrations at the Emirates Stadium, with teammates and coaching personnel rushing to embrace the teenager, whilst Arsenal supporters erupted in delight.

Whilst Dowman's effort secured three vital points for the Gunners in the title pursuit, the 16-year-old simultaneously became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history.

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Former Manchester United defender Neville revealed he summoned his wife, Emma, to witness the moment Dowman scored as the occasion touched him while viewing from home.

Neville told Sky Sports: "You talk about magical Premier League moments and I actually got emotional just for the young kid. It was special in a number of ways, the celebration, the way in which is that's how football should be.

"He's touched all parts of his body to score whilst gliding with the ball, a beautiful goal. You need to be exceptional to do that, he made it so easy that it looks like anyone can do it. There are very few who can.

"To become the youngest Premier League goalscorer and at a point where Arsenal needed it most, it felt like a defining moment in Arsenal's modern history. One because they've produced a player that did something exceptional on an individual schedule, never done before at that age, secondly they haven't won a league title for 22 years and that would be the showcased moment, what will be played back when we look at the big moments at the end of the season, that will be shown.

"Long way to go yet, not done but felt a pivotal moment, it was special. We can sit here and say football doesn't produce as special moments as it did, [Sergio] Aguero, [Robin] Van Persie's volley, Steve Bruce's header, the big massive moments winning the Premier League. It was a difficult game for Arsenal but felt it was a magical moment for Dowman, Arsenal and it stopped me in my tracks.

"I was sat in my kitchen table watching in the chair I always watch matches and it was enough for me to call my wife over because I felt it was a big enough moment. He's 16, the same age as our daughter, she's doing her GCSE's in two months, he's doing his GCSE's and it was just a beautiful moment."

The 2-0 victory over Everton, combined with Manchester City's points slip in a 1-1 stalemate at West Ham, has propelled the Gunners to a NINE-point lead at the summit of the Premier League table. Despite City having a game in hand, Arteta's squad have positioned themselves strongly to secure their first top-tier title in 22 years.

Arsenal's next challenge is a Champions League Round of 16 second leg match against Bayer Leverkusen, where the Gunners aim to secure their spot in the quarter-finals following a 1-1 draw in the first leg. They then square off against Manchester City at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final prior to the March international break.