Everton - 2 Arsenal - 1 If it had to end, this was as fitting and captivating a finale as any. Arsenal, untouchable for 30 league matches, are human after all, though they left Merseyside wondering whether the teenager who spoiled that record in a late blur was similarly of this world.
"He's supposed to be 16," Arsene Wenger winced in disbelief, his normally phlegmatic deadpan wrecked by Wayne Rooney.
The Frenchman's team have established themselves as the best in England but could muster no resistance to the £80-a-week teenager's clever control and blistering 30-yard curler 10 minutes after his entrance and 28 seconds from the end.
The attempt, audacious and delicious as it arced gracefully over David Seaman and in off the underside of the bar, took the breath and jostled the champions off the top of the table. Everton's deputy chairman and owner Bill Kenwright, a theatre impresario, had left with two minutes to go; so much for dramatic timing.
Rooney the apprentice becomes Rooney the professional on Thursday, a three-year contract with an option for two further years waiting to be signed on his birthday. David Moyes described that deal as "done and dusted", but it may be delayed for a week as the youngster plans to switch agents to Paul Stretford's Proactive Sports group.
Until that move is complete, his salary will rise by £10 as he turns 17. "When I came here I wanted to lay foundations at the club which wouldn't be knocked away and avoid what's happened in the past," said Moyes. "I understand the financial situation at this club but if I want to keep someone I'm confident the board will back me. Wayne's an Evertonian through and through and will probably be out with his pals this evening showing them how he scored the winner. There are special players. He can become one of them."
Under the deal on offer, Rooney's wages would spiral from an initial basic £1,100-a-week plus bonuses to reflect the talent of the Premiership's youngest ever goalscorer. That title has been wrested by 149 days from Michael Owen (at 17 years and 144 days) across Stanley Park, merely adding to the sense of satisfaction.
Yet, though Rooney provided the decisive intervention, this startling victory was earned as much by a zestful Everton performance as the youngster's winner.
Moyes's side tore at Arsenal, and were duly rewarded. Thomas Gravesen's dynamism matched that of Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva; substitute Tobias Linderoth's effective suffocation of Vieira's leggy influence further stunted Arsenal's intent.
Gravesen played his part in Everton's equaliser - Arsenal having gone ahead through Freddie Ljungberg after a slip by David Weir - his diagonal run and pass prompting Lee Carsley to belt the ball against a post. It rebounded to the livewire Tomasz Radzinski, giving Pascal Cygan a torrid time, who stepped inside and hit his shot through a knot of players.
David Seaman could not be faulted for that goal and was recovering his poise after a dicey opening when Gravesen and Mark Pembridge peppered him with vicious inswinging corners. By the end he was diving to thwart the Dane, only to be undermined finally by Rooney.
EVERTON: Wright, Hibbert, Yobo, Weir, Unsworth, Carsley (Stubbs 90), Gravesen, Tie Li (Linderoth 55), Pembridge, Radzinski (Rooney 80), Campbell. Subs Not Used: Alexandersson, Gerrard. Booked: Weir, Pembridge, Linderoth. Goals: Radzinski 22, Rooney 90.
ARSENAL: Seaman, Lauren, Campbell, Cygan, Cole, Ljungberg (Edu 85), Silva, Vieira, Toure (Wiltord 64), Henry, Kanu (Jeffers 71). Subs Not Used: Luzhny, Shaaban. Booked: Edu. Goals: Ljungberg 8.
Referee: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).
