Wayne Rooney goal gives Everton victory over Stoke

                                              

Wayne Rooney's first goal back in blue inspired boyhood club Everton to a narrow 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 -- his first competitive goal for the club in 4,869 days -- broke the deadlock and set Ronald Koeman's Everton on course for a 1-0 win against Stoke at Goodison Park.

The forward's name was cheered the loudest before a surprisingly lethargic first half got under way, with a lacklustre opening period eventually sparking into life in stoppage time.

Fine build-up play resulted in Dominic Calvert-Lewin swinging in a cross that Rooney nodded past Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland, sending the blue hordes wild on Merseyside.

Everton improved after the break but issues with fluidity and cohesion remained for Koeman's new-look side, with Jordan Pickford forced into an outstanding save to deny Xherdan Shaqiri a last-gasp Stoke equaliser.

Both sides made a tentative start as they deployed three-man defences, with forward Mame Biram Diouf playing as a remodelled right wing-back for the Potters.

That move, honed in pre-season, nearly paid dividends as Everton new boy Pickford had to tip his early cross around the post, with former Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen then having attempts blocked as the hosts stuttered.

SOURCE: PA SPORT