“Flagged up his teenage talent” – The People
“Excellent strike” – Mail on Sunday
“Another superb goal” – The Observer

Wayne Rooney is starting to hit the net with increasing regularity to go along with his other many talents.

The 18-year-old showed impressive maturity at Leicester on Saturday after the early dismissal of strike partner Duncan Ferguson and put his side ahead with a real striker’s goal.

England’s youngest goalscorer jinked past Matthew Heath and fired a clinical low finish past Ian Walker.

 

Rooney might have scored spectacular goals in the past but manager David Moyes is delighted he is now netting a few relatively ‘ordinary’ ones.

 

“His play is getting better and we are delighted with that. He took the goal really well,” said the Everton boss.

 

Rooney had only scored once for his club upto mid-December but his goals tally looks impressive for a youngster now; 11 this season, three for England and eight for Everton.

 

The only disappointment for Rooney was that 10-man Everton conceded a last-minute equaliser to Marcus Bent and had to accept a 1-1 draw rather than a victory.

 

Besides the goal, Rooney’s work-rate and ability to lead the line was highly important as Everton made light of being a man down for 62 minutes.

Lion of the Weekend - Weekly Awards

Paul Scholes 4

 

Steve Gerrard 3

Frank Lampard 3

Wayne Rooney 3

 

James Beattie 2

David Beckham 2

Jermain Defoe 2

John Terry 2

 

Shola Ameobi 1

Dean Ashton 1

Kieron Dyer 1   

Anthony Gardner 1

Emile Heskey 1

Glen Johnson 1

James Milner 1

Stefan Moore 1

Luke Moore 1

Kevin Nolan 1

Jermaine Pennant 1

Michael Owen 1

Shaun Wright-Phillips 1

TheFA.com will announce their Lion of the Weekend every Monday. A Lion of the Season award will be announced in May based on the number of weekly nominations.