Rooney leads Everton past Newcastle

LIVERPOOL: Teenage striker Wayne Rooney guided Everton to a controversial 2-1 victory over Newcastle United yesterday and dealt a hammer blow to the Tynesiders’ title hopes.

Rooney, who helped England to a vital Euro 2004 qualifying win over Turkey on Wednesday, rounded off an unforgettable week for the 17-year-old by heading Everton in front after 18 minutes at Goodison Park. French winger Laurent Robert rifled in a stunning equaliser just before halftime, but a superb solo run and pass by Rooney for Kevin Campbell led to a match-winning penalty converted by David Unsworth in the 65th minute.

Defeat left third-placed Newcastle stuck on 61 points - six behind both Manchester United and Arsenal with six games left. Everton moved up to fifth on 53 points, one ahead of Merseyside rivals Liverpool and four behind Chelsea in the race to the fourth-place finish which means a place in the Champions League qualifiers. Man-of-the-match Rooney made an explosive start, put clean through with only seconds on the clock. Shay Given smothered the teenager’s shot but a flag also went up for offside. But Given had no chance in the 18th minute when David Weir nodded on a cleverly-worked corner and Rooney met the ball with a powerful close-range header which flew in off the post.

Newcastle rallied from the setback and were level in the 40th minute when Robert unleashed a piledriver from the left flank which keeper Richard Wright touched but could not stop. But Everton clinched the winner after a superb run from Rooney, who collected the ball out on the left touchline, beat two Newcastle as he cut inside and fed the ball through for Campbell. Woodgate’s clumsy interception left referee Neale Barry in no doubt and Unsworth smacked his spot-kick straight down the middle.