Richard Jolly reports

For the second time in 15 days either side of his 17th birthday, Wayne Rooney came off the bench to score a special goal and turn an impressive draw into a superb win for Everton.

David Moyes has been prasied for his policy of keeping the talented teenager on the bench, but the Everton boss could simply be watiing for opponents to tire before unleashing his matchwinner.

Rooney's first goal - against Arsenal -  was a spectacular long-range strike. This time, the youngster - only playing after the FA granted him special dispensation - showed his skill on a solo run, turning Eirik Bakke, accelerating past Lucas Radebe and sliding his shot past the previously unbeatable Paul Robinson.

The Leeds keeper had turned in another outstanding display with five excellent saves, four from Tomasz Radzinski, the man Rooney replaced, to keep his side in the game.

Leeds, who believed they should have had a penalty when Nicky Barmby tumbled over Richard Wright's challenge in the first half, almost broke the deadlock when Jonathan Woodgate's header was cleared off the line.

But Terry Venables' team have now gone six Premiership games without a victory and lacked confidence. The bite of Olivier Dacourt and the finishing of Robbie Fowler - both absent with injury - were certainly lacking but this was an incoherent performance from a side lacking shape.

None of Venables' star players hit top form, with the disappointing Mark Viduka substituted, though Nick Barmby found himself in goalscoring positions and Harry Kewell was at least prominent.

Everton, in contrast, are flying after a third successive win to take them into the top six. Rooney's goal should not mask the threat of his predecessor Radzinski or a solid and determined performance in which summer signings Joseph Yobo and Li Tie again excelled.

The Toffees, clearly confident after recent morale-boosting wins, began brighter with Mark Pembridge testing Robinson with a vicious curling free kick which the England hopeful did well to palm over the bar.

Leeds came back with Kewell's 25-yard curler, which was just too high and a Woodgate header from Bowyer's corner which was comfortable for Richard Wright.

Robinson: Fine display

Radzinski, whose pace was Everton's main threat, then tested Robinson with two chances in as many minutes. First Li Tie's well-judged pass found the Canadian forward making a trademark burst through the inside left channel and Robinson showed his agility to save.

Then the Leeds keeper clung on well after Radzinski fired a left-foot shot from the edge of the box.

Kewell was still trying to add to his four goals this season with shots from distance and another almost found Barmby sliding in at the far post to finish one wide shot.

Then came the controversy as Alan Smith, who had earlier had a penalty shout of his own turned down, turned well to breach the Everton offside trap with a delicate chip to find Barmby.

The former Evertonian's first touch was excellent, but his second was poor. Wright, charging out of his goal, could not gather, and Barmby tripped over the Everton keeper. Referee Neale Barry reached for his notebook and, to Leeds' fury, cautioned Barmby.

Everton's matchwinner at West Ham, Lee Carsley, almost added another to his collection of goals with a fierce drive from 10 yards that, yet again, Robinson was equal to.

And Wright again emerged on top in his duel with Barmby after half time when Mark Viduka's clever pass found the midfielder in space 12 yards from goal. The Everton keeper blocked the ball on to his own defender, David Unsworth, and out for a corner. The diving Eirik Bakke met it but headed across the face of goal and wide.

Back came Everton and, after Kevin Campbell had shot wide, Radzinski again found the gaps behind the Leeds back four.

The striker was found in near identical positions by Campbell and Pembridge but on both occasions the diving Robinson was equal to his low shots.

Wright was beaten by Woodgate's header from one of several dangerous Kewell corners but Tony Hibbert was in position on the line to clear.

After Bowyer curled a free kick just past the post, Everton's super sub Rooney finally broke the deadlock.

And, as Arsenal can testify, Rooney's goals tend to be winners.  

MAN OF THE MATCH: Paul Robinson (Leeds) - A heroic one-man rearguard action for much of the game from the Leeds youngster, though even he could not keep out Rooney's winner.

Leeds: Robinson, Mills, Woodgate, Radebe, Lucic (Harte 45), Bowyer, Bakke, Barmby, Kewell, Viduka (Bridges 68), Smith (McMaster 81).
Subs Not Used: Martyn, Kelly.
Booked: Barmby, Lucic, Bowyer.

Everton: Wright, Hibbert, Stubbs, Yobo, Unsworth, Carsley, Linderoth, Tie Li (Naysmith 82), Pembridge, Campbell, Radzinski (Rooney 75).
Subs Not Used: Gerrard, Watson, Weir.
Booked: Unsworth, Campbell, Wright.

Att: 40,161
Ref: N Barry (N Lincolnshire).