Teenage star Alan Smith stole the headlines for Leeds on the opening day of the new Premiership season with a two-goal salvo that sank Everton.

Smith showed the goalpoaching instincts of an Ian Rush in his prime as his brace again ensured Everton left Elland Road with nothing to show for their efforts.

It's now 49 years since Everton returned from Yorkshire with a victory under their belts after facing Leeds at a ground which has become an impenetrable fortress to the Merseysiders.

The fact t Leeds were without a number of star names was testament to United's tenacity and tigerish team spirit in the face of an ongoing crisis.

Manager David O'Leary has rightly been bemoaning the injury turmoil which has deprived him of the likes of Harry Kewell, Jason Wilcox, Stephen McPhail and David Batty.

When O'Leary strengthened his squad this week by moving for Dominic Matteo, a medical found the defender had a knee injury which would sideline him for six to eight weeks.

Although Leeds pushed ahead with Matteo's £4.25million switch from Liverpool, it was just the latest head-shaking setback to O'Leary's plans for the new season.

Any side with aspirations of the title would miss the quality of such a quintet, but even though this is early days, Leeds set the tone for the remainder of the campaign.

Where there is a will there is a way could become O'Leary's new motto this season as the side which the Irishman was able to field still had too much quality for Everton.

Toffees boss Walter Smith started the game with just three of his seven summer signings in the line-up, leaving high-profile duo Paul Gascoigne and Duncan Ferguson on the bench.

Everton's failing was that they lacked a cutting edge, even after Ferguson was introduced to a rapturous hero's reception from the travelling support in the 57th minute.

But all is not lost for Smith as his side worked the ball beautifully at times, with the dynamic and powerful Alex Nyarko the pivotal figure at the heart of the midfield.

With so many new faces at Goodison Park as Smith builds for the future following a troubled past both on and off the field for the Merseyside giants, the dust understandably needs time to settle.

The signs, however, are encouraging as Everton did not let their heads drop after the break into which they trailed by Smith's double strike.

The Scot, though, will be asking questions of his defence for allowing Smith to drift into those poaching positions for both his close-range finishes.

The first in the 16th minute came from a delightfully worked short corner as Lee Bowyer rolled the ball to Michael Bridges.

Last season's 21-goal leading scorer for Leeds turned supplier with a whipped-in ball at the ideal height for a totally unmarked Smith to glance home beyond Gerrard from just four yards.

United and Smith's second was just as sublimely crafted, and came after Gerrard had gratefully watched debut-making right back Steve Watson's toe-poked back pass run wide.

Bowyer was again the instigator, this time driving his corner out wide for Ian Harte arriving at speed to spectacularly volley goalwards with his left foot from 22 yards.

Gerrard's save in response was equally stunning, but again Smith was left all alone to simply nod home from almost on the goal-line.

It was enough to seal an opening-day win for Leeds in front of another sell-out crowd of just over 40,000 at Elland Road, and to again send expectations soaring.

Everton's best chances of the half came via two free-kicks from skipper David Unsworth, both of which had Nigel Martyn at full stretch, but both were just over the bar.

After the break Everton at least took the fight to Leeds, but Martyn was indebted to his backline of Gary Kelly, a fit-again Jonathan Woodgate, skipper Lucas Radebe and Ian Harte for barely giving Everton a chance.

Ferguson's one notable contribution was to send clear Joe-Max Moore, but after the American striking substitute had rounded Martyn and rolled the ball goalwards, South African star Radebe was on hand to clear.

Gascoigne also made his Toffees bow in the 75th minute, but his first touch was to put Eirik Bakke out of the game as the Norwegian international joined the growing injury list with an ankle knock after being stretchered off.

Gazza also saw one curling right-foot effort in the closing stages headed away by Harte, but it was as close as Everton came to raising hopes of a comeback.

Leeds now head to Munich on Wednesday for the second leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie against TSV 1860 with confidence high - and with Smith in superb form.