Leeds feel force of Rooney's golden boot

Leeds United 0 Everton 1

Clement Attlee was in No 10 and Nat "King" Cole at No 1 the last time Everton won a League fixture at Leeds, way back in 1951. Wayne Rooney, who has just turned 17, can be forgiven if those figures sound as if they come from ancient history, but his own name will resound around the country again this week.

Rooney announced his arrival as a Premiership marksman at 16 by beating David Seaman. He reaffirmed his stellar talent yesterday by repeating the feat against the keeper who will surely be the pony-tailed one's long-term successor with England, Paul Robinson. He did it, moreover, with a goal that was arguably better than his stunning winner against Arsenal.

Only 10 minutes remained when Tony Hibbert's through-ball found Rooney – who had appeared as a substitute only five minutes earlier – lurking in the inside-right channel 30 yards from goal. Swivelling away from Eirik Bakke, who was left floundering on the turf, he had jinked his way into the Leeds area before being confronted by Lucas Radebe.

The Leeds captain stood off him slightly, as if expecting Rooney to try to take him on the outside. That was all the encouragement the Everton prodigy needed, and a swing of his golden right boot angled a drive through Radebe's legs and beyond Robinson into the far corner of the net. Rooneymania, with the subject engulfed by colleagues and fans alike, was unrestrained.

We are going to have to become accustomed to such scenes. David Moyes, having presided over three consecutive victories for the first time in his eight months as manager, still strove, Canute-like, to divert attention from the boy wonder afterwards. Yet the Scot had to acknowledge that the name plastered all over the press today would be that of Rooney.

"He'll continue to grab the headlines throughout his career," Moyes said. "I thought Tommy Radzinski ran Leeds ragged and Wayne finished them off." Was it an even better strike than the one he lifted over Seaman? "Strangely enough, it was more the type of goal I'd want him to score; I want to see him get in the 18-yard box and take on defenders."

Everton's success, which would have been more emphatic but for the brilliance of Robinson, are now up to the dizzy heights of sixth place. Moyes did not mean to criticise Leeds when noting that it was "a great sign when you can come to Elland Road and create so many chances", but his assessment can only add to the pressure on Terry Venables.

Last season, under David O'Leary, it took Leeds until the end of January to lose four League matches. With Venables in charge, they have lost four times at home already, have gone six Premiership games without a win and are only four points above the relegation zone. So it sounded perverse when the Leeds manager declared himself "pleased" with his players before going on to admit: "They are very low in the dressing-room. It's the first time I've seen them like that."

Venables' attempt to change the roles of several players, notably in midfield, has not helped. Likewise the lack of impact of his principal signing, Nick Barmby, which, allied to Lee Bowyer's ineffectual display, left Bakke overworked. The loudest chants were for David Batty – presumably for his scoring prowess – but the former England ball-winner continues to be overlooked by the new regime and reportedly spent the afternoon with his family in the Dales.

On another day, Leeds might have had a penalty or even two in the first half. Within minutes of Alan Smith's sharp turn tricking Joseph Yobo into an injudicious challenge, Smith's fine pass sent Barmby clear. But the former Everton player's touch was poor, and instead of rounding Richard Wright he tumbled over his body and was booked for diving.

Otherwise it was a personal duel between Radzinski and Robinson, though the Canadian's departure simply brought Rooney into the fray. Venables, himself in short pants when Everton last triumphed at Leeds, set aside his frustration to give his considered opinion of the opposition No 18. "He's not a good prospect," he said. "He's a good player now."

Goal: Rooney (80) 0-1.

Leeds United (4-3-1-2): Robinson 8; Mills 5, Woodgate 5, Radebe 5, Lucic 5 (Harte 3, h-t); Bowyer 4, Bakke 6, Barmby 3; Kewell 5; Smith 5 (McMaster, 81), Viduka 4 (Bridges 4, 69). Substitutes not used: Kelly, Martyn (gk).

Everton (4-4-2): Wright 6; Hibbert 7, Yobo 7, Stubbs 6, Unsworth 6; Carsley 7, Li Tie 7 (Naysmith, 82), Linderoth 5, Pembridge 7; Campbell 5, Radzinski 7 (Rooney 7, 75). Substitutes not used: Watson, Weir, Gerrard (gk).

Referee: N Barry (Scunthorpe) 5.

Bookings: Leeds: Barmby, Lucic, Bowyer. Everton: Unsworth, Campbell, Wright.

Man of the match: Robinson.

Attendance: 40,168.