Wayne Rooney scores stunning goal for Everton against Arsenal to announce himself to the game: original report Rooney, who cannot sign a professional contract until Thursday, his 17th birthday, is already a player fitting that description. Wenger described him afterwards as someone possessing "everything you dream to have as a footballer." In his time in England the Arsenal manager says he has not seen a more exciting talent. Introduced with 10 minutes left on the clock, nothing seemed on for Rooney as he took speculative aim. What a finish, what a way to open your league account, the venom behind his shot carrying the ball past Seaman's despairing fingers and over the line off the underside of the crossbar. It will be remembered long after the Scouser, who possesses the strength of someone 10 years his senior, is way beyond three figures with his striking tally. The rest of the Premiership will afford him generous thanks for proving that the Gunners can be beaten after all. This was their first defeat away from home in the league since Newcastle did them at St James' Park on May 19, 2001. "We were beaten by a special goal and a special talent," said Wenger after paying tribute to his team for establishing so many new records. You do not have to be a connoisseur to realise that Rooney has intelligence, quick reactions and accuracy in front of goal. He is a big prospect for English football. His manager absolved Seaman of blame, pointing out that no goalkeeper in the world could have kept it out. Until then Seaman looked to have emerged triumphant from the crushing analysis and debate regarding his suitability to continue as England's No 1 following that aberration against Macedonia. He looked uncertain early on when corners were propelled into his area but in the second half produced a splendid save from Thomas Gravesen. "David Seaman was fantastic and it just shows what a great competitor he is to respond with that performance," Wenger added. Arsenal's passing lacked its usual crispness at the start and Wenger complained that their final ball was missing in the second half. When they took the lead in the eighth minute it owed more to Everton's failings than any great subtlety, though Thierry Henry's drive down the left and the accuracy of his cross were positive features. David Weir's slip offered a chance for Kanu but when he could not accept it Everton appeared to have been reprieved. Li Tie's hesitation, however, made it a gift for Ljungberg. Kevin Campbell's strength in the air and Tomasz Radzinski's ability to find space and exploit it encouraged hope that the home side would not be trailing for very long. They were challenging hard for every ball and there was no sign of Arsenal's swagger on this occasion. In the event Everton were behind for just 14 minutes as the visitors were unhinged by Radzinski's quick free kick. Gravesen carried it on and found Lee Carsley, who smashed a shot against an upright. Out it came to Radzinski whose effort beat both Seaman and Ashley Cole. After the break Henry miscued badly while substitute Sylvain Wiltord was only denied when Tony Hibbert blocked his shot on the line. In injury time, Richard Wright, formerly of Arsenal, nearly made a mess of a bouncing ball and in the melee Edu claimed to have been pushed. But these incidents became mere footnotes when set beside the Rooney extravaganza. "Sometimes we criticise him for shooting when it's unrealistic," Everton manager David Moyes said. Not any more.