Comment: Wayne Stuns Arsenal

Last updated : 24 October 2002 By Sean Graham

In the week of his 17th birthday this Thursday young Wayne Rooney comes off the bench to end Arsenal's 30 match unbeaten run as he helps the Blues win 2-1 at Goodison Park. You have all seen the headlines "Wayne's World", "ShockaRooney" "Sweet sixteen" and by now the tape of the Premiership has nearly been worn out, maybe the club will bring out a special tape with signed photos of Wayne as a special collectors item! Yes indeed for those of you lucky to been at Goodison on Saturday it was something special, the atmosphere, the team, and to come from a goal behind against the Champions is indeed something special but when a sixteen year old kid comes off the bench and scores a goal like that in the last minute then you know it is your day and it will be a day that Evertonians will remember for a long time to come.

I have been told by my good friends Andrew and Tommy that the atmosphere was superb on Saturday and that Goodison Park has not exploded like that for a log time even in the defeats of Liverpool! I am also told that Arsenal and England's goalkeeper David Seaman was given a great reception by the Goodison park faithful but I did not see this reported in the press! After all of the events of Saturday had died down and all the News headlines that went with the goal and the way this team performed you have to say that in the words of Paul Weller and in my view, "We're Going Places trust me” track one of his new album! Great by the way just like his concert at the new Breahead area me and big Ian had a great time along with Craig and Mairi!

Anyway back to the point of all this...Going Places yes this club has began to look like the old Everton since David Moyes and his backroom staff have come in. I know from Evertonians that I have spoken to that this club is at last, on the right track!

It will take time to get the trophies rolling into the Goodison Park trophy room but you feel that with this man in charge anything is possible or so Will Young says! With Everton you don't feel as if you have to turn the corner in recent times it has been a roundabout with no exit off! Hopefully now with Saturday's result it will be a springboard to further success rather than just a one game wonder!

With hard work and the same effort we can get a result at Upton Park live on Sky on Sunday and as I am working lets hope my good lady wife remembers to set the tape! I must admit that after the result on Saturday 2-1 win over Arsenal for anyone who missed it, I was in a rather good mood and had a couple of drinks at my sister-in-laws, Dawn, who had invited us over for dinner that night it just goes to show what can happen when Everton win. It puts you in a good mood and sets you off in a happy, smiling way for the rest of the weekend!

I must say it was one of the best results that Everton have had for some time and it will live in my and every Evertonians memory for some time!

I could go on about the boy Rooney all day but he will have plenty of other big days and matches to look forward to once he signs this new contract. Bill give him a big house with a big garden with a set of goals out the back and two burly guards outside to keep the Italians and Spanish away!

Another member of young Wayne's fan club is none other than the main man himself the legend of Nottingham Forest Brian Clough. He was happy that Wayne's goal kept Forest's record intact of 42 games without defeat. Wayne has been receiving plaudits from Coughie and former Everton favourite Andy Gray who said about the youngster, "For a sixteen year old, he has a fantastic footballing brain. He is big, strong lad, built like a 22 year old. He has a lot of physical power, yet he is also a very intelligent player ".

I must say that I think that David Moyes has handled young Wayne superbly since coming into the side. He knows that Wayne will be young a raw and will just want to play football but David is using him sparingly which means that he will be more eager to impress when he gets on and he won't take things for granted and most importantly of all his feet will remain on the ground.

He is a special talent let's make sure he's here for a long time to come!

Other Blues News

Everton reserves drew 2-2 with West Brom on Monday night at Halesowen. The goals were scored by Nick Chadwick and Kevin McLeod but a special mention for mid-fielder Scot Gemmill who led by example and who's work-rate was exceptional. Special Mention for former Everton player John Connolly who is now manager of Queen of The South. John's team won the Bell's Cup on Sunday by beating Brechin 2-0.This Cup win follows up their recent Second Division Championship win, well done to John and the boys and Congratulations to Sandra and the Brown clan who are big Queen's fan's -hope you had a great day out and thanks for the programme !

Watch out David this man is after your job! Other Scottish Results Rangers 3 Motherwell 0,Hearts 1 Celtic 4,Aberdeen 0 Dundee 0,Dundee Utd 2 Livingston 3, Kilmarnock 2 Dunfermline 2,Partick 0 Hibs 3

Before I go I would like to wish a special boy a very happy birthday. Not many folk knew about this boy until Saturday but they do now , he celebrates his 17th Birthday on Thursday and he put a smile on 39,000 faces on Saturday....his name is Wayne Rooney !

Happy 17th Birthday Wayne and thanks for Saturday!