Wayne Rooney rolls back the years with winner for Everton
The 31-year-old made the perfect return for the Toffees.
Wayne Rooney’s first competitive goal back in blue inspired Everton to a 1-0 opening-weekend victory against Stoke.
After 13 record-breaking years at Manchester United, the 31-year-old made the ideal mark on his Premier League homecoming.
Rooney’s header late in the first half broke the deadlock and set Ronald Koeman’s Everton on course for three points at Goodison Park.
What they said
Tweet of the match
Star man – Idrissa Gana Gueye
Rooney’s impressive Premier League return means the former Manchester United man will get the headlines, but it was hard to look beyond the livewire midfielder in Everton’s engine room for the star of the day. Quick on the ball and smart without it, Gueye played a key role as Ronald Koeman’s men won their opener.
Moment of the match
As a dull first half drifted towards half-time, excellent build-up play brought with it a moment to cherish for Rooney. The 31-year-old, making his Premier League return after 13 years away, met Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s cross with a header that sent Goodison Park wild.
Stat of the match
Rooney’s appearance was his first in the league for Everton since May 15, 2014 – no player has had a longer gap between Premier League appearances for the same club.
Player ratings
Who’s up next?
Everton v Hajduk Split (Europa League play-off first leg, Thursday August 17)
Stoke v Arsenal (Premier League, Saturday August 19)