As the Arsenal players got into an ecstatic dressing room, the man of the match wasn’t there. Goalscorer Viktor Gyokeres even came in carrying his award.

That is all because Max Dowman isn’t actually the man of the match but the boy of the match, since he’s still… just a child. Premier League rules mean he’s not actually allowed change in the same dressing room as adults. He has to go around near the referees’ room.

Maybe it also serves as another little way to keep a mere 16-year-old centred after such a moment, too, but nobody who knows the Dowmans says he needs that. His parents are said to still ground him for misbehaving, and are conscious of keeping the obvious confidence that comes with such ability in check.

There were of course among many people at Arsenal in tears after Dowman scored that crucial clinching goal against Everton. As was openly being said in the dressing room by many staff, they’d known him since he was small. You might quip that wasn’t that long ago, but it also speaks to the speed of his development.

And here he was, at 16 years and 73 days, becoming the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history.

Mikel Arteta is often criticised for a conservatism, but he still went for football’s classic roll of the dice when it was really required: the impetuousness of youth. Sir Alex Ferguson is the manager who has become most associated with that gamble over the history of the Premier League, due to everything from the “class of 92” to throwing on a 17-year-old Federico Macheda in a similar title game against Aston Villa. His logic was always clear: “if you give people an opportunity to succeed, it is amazing how much they will surprise you.”

Except, very little about Dowman is surprising. It isn’t exactly heaping pressure on a 16-year-old to say he’s being talked of as potentially the best player in the world in a few years, since so many around Arsenal say all the time. They are perhaps careful not to say it directly to him, but the Leo Messi comparisons are seen as entirely fitting.

It means Arteta is now in the exquisite position of pleading “calma” about such a prospect – as he did when asked if Dowman would start against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday – and being thrillingly excited about his talent.

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The Basque spoke about a “gut feeling” he’s had all week, but there’s more to it than that. Since the start of the season, Dowman has just been gliding past senior professionals in training. You could see it in the Everton game. He was beating players and opening the match in a way that Arsenal badly needed. It was the same with the ball in that finally flummoxed Jordan Pickford for Gyokeres’ goal. Direct, with purpose.

From that, Arteta had in the last few weeks apparently told his Arsenal-supporting father, Rob, that some changes might be required to Dowman’s school schedule at Brentwood. The question was obviously why. “Because there’s a title to win.”

They know he can carry it. Alongside his talent, Dowman’s football brain is described as “extraordinary”. Arteta’s tactical and pressing instructions are known to be highly complex, and it can take senior professionals months to properly internalise them. Dowman does it in seconds.

This could be seen in one of the elements that Arsenal figures were most raving about after the 2-0 win over Everton.

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With the ball in the air after Pickford went up for that 96th-minute corner, and Vitaliy Mykolenko coming in try and win it and force that equaliser, Dowman did something else unexpected. In the space of a millisecond, he decided to strain his neck muscles to head the ball down so that it would go in the opposite direction of the full-back. Mykolenko was so surprised that he fell over, as Dowman ensured he was now pulsing away on his feet and at the right pace.

From there, with Pickford also racing back, many players would have opted to immediately seize the chance and try a long-range shot. Dowman also showed mature composure with that. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was still in his way but he was evaded like a cone in training. Then he was away.

One of the things now being said about the goal at Arsenal was that the opposition half he still had to run through, and the seconds that took, offered a fitting final build-up to a moment everyone now feels they will be looking back to in years’ time.

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They could see it coming, they could feel it. People nearby heard Dowman’s family repeat: “go on Max, go on!” Then, the arrival.

It should be acknowledged that any such moment would be special for a young player, his family and his club, something they can now always treasure. At the same time, you just can’t overlook that this is considered all the more special because of what it might mean for the future.

There will be many excited questions about that. Thomas Tuchel is no doubt going to have to face a few at his England squad announcement on Friday, and whether Dowman can be taken to a World Cup.

It instinctively feels like it’s a bit too early… but then you could say that about so much with Dowman. Nothing about him is surprising. This is now more than a gut feeling.

A title challenge that had become a psychological challenge for Arsenal, where they were feeling all the angst of that 22-year wait, now involves one of the most invigorating themes in football. It’s the excitement of youth, and what might be possible for the future.

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Technical Adviser of Warri Wolves FC, Hassan Abdallah, has expressed strong optimism ahead of his side’s crucial NPFL26 Matchweek 30 encounter against Bayelsa United in Yenagoa.

The Seasiders will travel to the Samson Siasia Stadium on Sunday for what promises to be a fiercely contested derby, with both teams eager to secure valuable points in the ongoing league campaign.

Speaking during preparations for the encounter, Coach Abdallah assured his players and supporters that the team is well prepared for the challenge ahead. According to him, the level of preparation and the intensity of recent training sessions have positioned the squad for a positive result.

The gaffer noted that the players have undergone rigorous training in the days leading up to the fixture and are mentally ready for the task.

“We have worked very hard in training and the players understand what is expected of them. With the level of preparation we have put in, we are hopeful of getting a positive outcome on Sunday,” Abdallah said.

The former national youth coach also recalled the first leg meeting between the two sides earlier in the season. In that encounter, played on October 26, 2025 at the Southern Delta University Stadium in Ozoro, Warri Wolves scored an impressive 2-0 victory over Bayelsa United.

On that day, forward Igbunu Evwierhurhoma was the hero for the Seasiders, scoring a brace in the 16th minute and deep into stoppage time to seal all three points for Warri Wolves.

Abdallah stated that his team is determined to replicate a similar performance when both sides meet again in Yenagoa. Drawing confidence from the team’s recent improvement and their impressive display against Enyimba FC, the coach maintained that the squad is well positioned to compete strongly.

The Warri Wolves boss further revealed that a few adjustments have been made to the squad that defeated Bayelsa United in the first leg. However, he stressed that the team remains psychologically prepared and highly motivated to face their neighbours on Sunday.

While acknowledging that the clash will be a tough and fiercely contested battle, Abdallah remains optimistic that the Seasiders can emerge victorious at the Samson Siasia Stadium.

With confidence high within the camp, Warri Wolves will be hoping to secure another important result on the road as they continue their push in the NPFL26 campaign.

Warri Wolves FC Media

Manchester United return to Premier League action this afternoon when Aston Villa travel to Old Trafford

07:00, 15 Mar 2026

Manchester United welcome Aston Villa to Old Trafford this afternoon as they look to cement their place in the top four. The Reds last played 11 days ago but only Mason Mount is back with the squad after suffering a knock at the start of February.

Lisandro Martinez’s recovery from a calf injury is taking longer to heal than expected. Matthijs de Ligt and Patrick Dorgu remain long-term absentees with back and hamstring issues respectively. Noussair Mazraoui was injured in the defeat to Newcastle but trained this week with his teammates at Carrington.

Here are the United teams our writers think Michael Carrick should select against Villa.

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Tyrone Marshall

Carrick isn’t flush with options at the moment, with two of his best central defenders still injured, and although Mount is back in training, this is going to be too soon for a start, and it’s hard to see how he gets in the side anyway.

I would stick with Mazraoui ahead of Diogo Dalot at right-back at the moment. That change was made at Newcastle and it feels like it’s worth seeing the Moroccan in a few games now in that position.

The midfield picks itself, but I would change things up in the front three. Amad has been bright off the bench and as a left-footer, I would try him on the left to try and stretch the pitch and offer some more width. Carrick believes he can play there and he could have a similar impact to Dorgu. Matheus Cunha can drop to the bench.

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Jack Flintham

Mazraoui may have returned to training this week but I would be hesitant to start him ahead of Dalot. It could be safer not to risk the Morocco international considering his injury at Newcastle.

The midfield three have cemented their places in the team and should remain unchanged. Amad will be desperate to return to the starting line-up but I am unsure of his suitability on the left.

Dorgu would be a perfect addition on that side but his injury ruins that plan. As such, Cunha probably has to keep his place.

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The Los Angeles Lakers‘ dramatic 127-125 overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets, which Luka Dončić ended with a game-winning step-back jumper in the final second of the extra frame, was one of the best games of the season. It may also end up being one of the most important. 

After jumping out to an early double-digit lead, the Lakers pushed their advantage to 17 in the second quarter and were cruising until the Nuggets embarked on a big comeback late in the third. Eventually, the Nuggets took the lead, which grew to eight late in the fourth. All of a sudden, it was the Lakers who needed a comeback. They completed one in miraculous fashion. 

To force overtime, Austin Reaves pulled off one of the best intentional missed free-throw routines you’re ever going to see. The Nuggets, up by three, fouled Reaves with 5.2 seconds to play. Reaves made the first free throw, then threw the second one off the front of the rim. The ball ricocheted out to him on the right wing, and he put in a floater to send things to overtime. 

“JJ told me to tell AR to miss right. So he missed left,” Dončić joked. “So it was a good play. That’s very hard to do.”

There was sloppy play and several missed shots early in overtime, which ensured neither team could pull away. And after Nikola Jokić tied things up with 15 seconds to play, the Lakers had the ball with a chance to win. 

Dončić obliged with one of his patented step-back jumpers. The Nuggets tried to double him, but they didn’t get their angles right, which gave Dončić the space to drive left toward the baseline. Spencer Jones recovered and made a spirited contest, but it was in vain. Dončić caught nothing but net for arguably his signature moment with the Lakers thus far. 

“A lot of legends played here. They leave a lot behind with the Lakers,” Dončić said. “So obviously I did [envision this when I was traded here], obviously we’re still in the regular season, but that was a little bit of that feeling today for sure.” 

Dončić finished with 30 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists for his eighth triple-double of the season, helping the Lakers extend their winning streak to five games. They’ve won eight of their last nine games and climbed into third place in the Western Conference. 

Lakers gain critical tiebreaker over Nuggets

Numerous Western Conference seeding battles appear likely to come down to the final days of the season. Entering Saturday, Nos. 2-6 seeds all had 41 wins and were separated by half a game. 

Here’s a look at the standings before the Lakers-Nuggets matchup:

And here’s a look at the standings after the Lakers’ win. 

The Lakers went from fourth to third and the Nuggets went from fifth to sixth, which shows how important each game is at this point in the crowded West. More importantly, though, the Lakers’ win gave them the season tiebreaker over the Nuggets (2-1, with no matchups between the teams remaining). 

If the Lakers and Nuggets end up with identical records at the end of the season — a very real possibility — the Lakers would get the higher seed. That could be the difference between earning the No. 3 seed and staying out of the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder‘s side of the bracket. It could also be the difference between earning the No. 4 seed and earning homecourt advantage in the first round. 

Dončić’s shot is one of the highlights of the season, and it may prove to be far more important than just that. 

Andrade El Idolo once again channeled his inner charm while interacting with a female fan at ringside on AEW Collision this week. The latter’s identity has now been revealed on social media.

Ever since he returned to action in All Elite Wrestling earlier this year, Andrade has been in the form of his life. With his sights set on the AEW Men’s World Title, he racked up a number of impressive singles victories, including wins against former champions Swerve Strickland and Kenny Omega. Last month at Grand Slam Australia, he faced Adam Page for a shot at MJF’s “Triple B” at Revolution 2026, but unfortunately came up short against The Hangman.

El Idolo did end up on the pay-per-view card, however, as he answered Bandido’s challenge for a singles bout this Sunday. Ahead of that, on AEW Collision, the luchador battled Mascara Dorada one-on-one. Like he has been doing for a few weeks now, Andrade once again flirted and took a selfie with a female fan at ringside. The latter, a pro-wrestler named Simone Williams, has now taken to X/Twitter to share her photograph with the former WWE superstar.

“Collision looks wayyy hotter from this angle 😛 #[AllEliteWrestling]Collision,” said the caption.

Williams is an Australian indie wrestler who started her career in 2018, and competes in promotions like Women of Wrestling, Santino Bros. Wrestling, Future Stars of Wrestling and more.

Match results for this week’s AEW Collision

Just a day ahead of Revolution 2026, All Elite Wrestling set up shop in the San Jose Civic arena in San Jose, CA for the March 14 edition of Saturday Night Collision. The episode presented six action-packed matches, the results of which have been listed out below:

• Kevin Knight defeated El Clon
• Mark Davis defeated Komander
• The Triangle of Madness (Thekla, Julia Hart and Skye Blue) defeated Karisma, Tatevik and Viva Van
• The Demand (Ricochet and GOA) defeated The Bang Bang Gang (Juice Robinson, Austin Gunn and Ace Austin)
• Lena Kross defeated Mina Shirakawa
• Andrade El Idolo defeated Mascara Dorada

It remains to be seen what Tony Khan and his team have planned for fans in LA at Revolution.