Wayne Rooney marks Everton return with wonder goal
Thursday 13 July 2017 23:51, UK
Wayne Rooney said scoring for Everton was a "great feeling" as he marked his comeback with a sensational goal on Thursday.
The 31-year-old's curling 30-yard right-footed strike to beat the Gor Mahia goalkeeper in his top right-hand corner had echoes of Rooney's maiden goal for the Toffees against Arsenal in 2002 - five days short of his 17th birthday.
"To score for Everton again is a great feeling," Rooney, who rejoined his boyhood club after 13 years at Manchester United, told evertontv.
"It's something I've been thinking of for the last couple of weeks, once I knew (the move) was happening.
"Thankfully, I've done it in today's game and that 45 minutes will only help."
It marked the perfect way for Rooney, playing up front, to announce his return.
Having put his side ahead in the 35th minute in the club's first pre-season friendly against Kenyan opponents in Tanzania, England's all-time top scorer immediately raised his arms to the sky in celebration.
However, his joy was short-lived as Jacques Tuyisenge equalised with a near-post header a couple of minutes later.
Rooney departed at half-time as manager Ronald Koeman made 11 changes, having given new signing Davy Klaassen 45 minutes, with winger Aaron Lennon making his first appearance since February 11 after receiving treatment for a stress-related illness.
Another new signing Michael Keane played in the second half after his arrival from Burnley and his header saw Dominic Calvert-Lewin nod home only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Kieran Dowell hit the crossbar from a short free-kick before moments later, nine minutes from time, he smashed home a left-footed effort from 25 yards to secure a 2-1 win.
Such is Rooney's star appeal at least three Gor Mahia players stopped him to pose for photographs after the final whistle before he was escorted off by a member of security.
