Rooney SCORES Stunner in Dream Return for Everton

Wayne Rooney’s fairytale return to Everton continued as he marked his first appearance since rejoining with a goal.

The 31-year-old’s arcing 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 club against Arsenal back in 2002 – five days short of his 17th birthday.

Collecting the ball 40 yards out in the inside-left position he took one touch with his left foot, advanced the ball a few yards with his right before lashing home a shot.

Rooney struck with a curling effort from outside of the Gor Mahia penalty area after 35 minutes in Tanzania

Rooney is joined by his team-mates after putting Everton ahead during the match in Tanzania

A supporter wearing a Manchester United shirt ran on the pitch during the game to hug the England striker

Police officers followed the supporter on to the pitch as he got his chance to hug the 31-year-old striker

Kieran Dowell (left) celebrates with midfielder Tom Davies after scoring the winner with eight minutes to play

EVERTON TEAM

Stekelenburg; Connolly, Jagielka, Kenny, Williams; Schneiderlin, McCarthy, Lennon, Klaassen, Lookman, Rooney

Subs: Hewelt, Baines, Keane, Davies, Mirallas, Pennington, Calvert-Lewin, Gueye, Barry, Besic, Dowell

It marked the perfect way for Rooney, playing up front, to announce his return after a 13-year spell at Manchester United.

Having put his side ahead in the 35th minute in the club’s first pre-season friendly against Kenyan opponents in Tanzania, he 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.

Rooney appeared sharp as he made his return for Everton in the pre-season fixture against the Kenyan outfit

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 wrongly 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.