Goals by teenage prodigies Wayne Rooney and James Milner saw the relegation battle between Leeds United and Everton end 1-1 in Leeds on Tuesday.
Leeds battled back from going behind in the first half to 19-year-old Rooney’s ninth of the campaign as 18-year-old Milner deservedly levelled in the 50th minute with his third of the season.
The point sees Leeds still two points adrift of safety and with a daunting trip to leaders Arsenal on Friday while Everton are six points better off than their opponents, having collected — like Leeds — four points from six over the Easter programme.
Milner’s goal was merited after Leeds had recovered from an opening 20 minutes that had seen them permanently on the back foot and lucky to be just 1-0 down.
The 18-year-old struck five minutes into the second half for his third goal of the campaign as he shot home from Mark Viduka’s pass and gave former Leeds teammate and England keeper Nigel Martyn no chance.
Viduka, who has been in sparkling form since he returned from Australia where his father is seriously ill, had rattled Martyn twice in as many minutes just prior to Milner’s effort but had been frustrated twice.
Everton struck in the 13th minute as Rooney shot home after good work by David Unsworth and was due reward for all the early pressure coming from the visitors.
Leeds had ‘keeper Paul Robinson to thank for not already going behind when he was at his most alert to turn round the post a fierce shot from Canadian international striker Tomasz Radzinski in the eighth minute.
Radzinski went even closer in the 16th minute as Leeds reeled in the face of the opening onslaught as his shot beat Robinson but saw it come back off the post.
Leeds, though, showed the fighting spirit that had garnered them nine points from their last 12 as they dominated the next 15 minutes with Alan Smith going close twice, forcing Martyn into tipping one effort over the bar and to safety.
However, they failed to convert any of their chances as Viduka, Michael Duberry and Milner all went close but not crucially where it mattered in hitting the back of the net — the youngster was to have the last laugh. — Sapa-AFP