Updated at 17.30
WAYNE ROONEY HAILED his match-winning return to Everton as a “special moment” after the England striker bagged the decisive goal in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Stoke.
Rooney rejoined Everton in the close-season after 13 years with Manchester United and he marked his first Premier League appearance for the Toffees since 2004 with a bullet header in first half stoppage-time at Goodison Park.
It was Rooney’s first Everton goal since he netted against Leeds 4,869 days ago in April 2004.
The 31-year-old celebrated his winner with a jubilant slide to the turf in front of the Everton fans and later admitted he was ecstatic to get off the mark on his second debut for the club he supported as a boy.
On a personal level, scoring the winning goal at Goodison Park is a special moment. It doesn’t get much better,” Rooney said.
“To play for this club is a huge deal for me. The early games in the season are always tough because you are always finding your rhythm in games.
“We’ve got some tough games coming up so it’s important we got off to a good start.”
4869 - @WayneRooney has set a new @premierleague record for the longest gap between goals for the same team (4869 days). Home. pic.twitter.com/5eZBFyzTga
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 12, 2017
300 - Wayne Rooney's now been involved in 300 PL goals (199 goals, 101 assists); only @alanshearer has been involved in more (324). Legends. pic.twitter.com/tbcsm2jBIK
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 12, 2017
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Great to see him scoring
@Irishoversea: Delighted for him. That’s 199 now .
@Irishoversea: yes maybe Playing defensive football the last few seasons has hindered him
@Jamie: obsessed
@Dermo: wrong account Thommo
Hope Rooney can beat Shearer’s record. United will be sorry they sold him.
Great goal too! He played a blinder in the second half, man of the match! Hopefully he can keep it up throughout the season!
‘Second Everton Debut’ ? Will there be a third ?
@David: if he leaves Everton again and comes back again I guess he would……