EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB - News Archive

Leeds 0-1 Everton

Everton continued their winning streak with yet another win... this time it was against Leeds.

Wayne Rooney netted again to ensure all 3 points for the Toffees and he netted in style. He picked the ball up thirty yards out with ten minutes to go and ran at the Leeds defence. He evaded two defensive challenges and then placed a slide-rule shot into the bottom right-hand corner of the net, much to the delight of the travelling Everton supporters.

Leeds keeper Paul Robinson played very well, making alot of good saves, one of which was an effort from Mark Pembridge in the 8th minute which was tipped over the bar. Minutes later, Leeds star Harry Kewell wasn't too far over with a 20-yard drive.

At this stage Everton were enjoying the better of the early exchanges, a corner by Pembridge found its way to a Radzinski snapsot which was safely gathered by in-form keeper Paul Robinson. Not long after, Li Tie played in Radzinski but again Robinson kept out the shot, at this stage Robinson looked unbeatable.

Just after 30 minutes, the level of abuse aimed at Nick Barmby from the away end reached fever pitch when he tumbled theatrically over a Richard Wright challenge, clearly seeking a penalty decision. The referee, (Neil Barry) wasn't fooled and waved a yellow card at Barmby, to the delight of the Evertonians!

Gradually, the game became end-to-end football ,and Leeds were grateful to Robinson again when he made a fine save to deny Lee Carsley in the 37th minute.

All Evertonians nearly had a heart attack. just a couple of minutes later when Nick Barmby was through on goal, but Richard Wright stood tall and made an excellent block, to the delight of Evertonians again.

Mark Pembridge was a constant threat to Paul Robinson, and he nearlly scored again with a 20 yard shot which ended up just over the crossbar.

The Toffees then broke through yet again only for Robinson to deny Radzinski for a third time with another fine save, much to the disbelief pf Radzinski, Robinson made another good save within two minutes when the Canadian (Tomasz Radzinski) was played in by Li Tie but the Leeds keeper saved again!

With the game turning into a scrappy affair, Campbell gave away a free kick, in which Jonathan Woodgate had an effort kicked off the line by Tony Hibbert.

There was a moment of genuine concern for Everton in the 75th minute when Campbell fouled Kewell on the edge of the box, but Ian Harte's free-kick was too high.

At this stage, the Everton fans began to chant Wayne Rooneys name, shortly after he was introduced, and grabed that vital goal to make Evertons winning streak continue.

Everton Manager David Moyes later said...

"Because of the work rate of all the players it allowed Wayne a bit of space to get the winning goal and he was the first one to thank everyone for giving him the opportunity,It was a centre-forwards goal. He picked it up, ran at the defenders and put it in the back of the net. He deserved it and I thought we deserved it too. We are not in a hurry to do that, he added. He has played 90 minutes already this season.

"It’s great when you have got a matchwinner you can bring off the bench but at the moment because of his age we are just trying to make sure he is getting the right amount of football, And though Wayne will probably get the headlines again but Tommy Radzinski and Kevin Campbell were fantastic. They both looked after the Leeds defenders as well as creating chances.”