After 4,869 days, Wayne Rooney scores again for Everton to clinch fairy-tale return

Wayne Rooney marked his first Premier League game back at boyhood club Everton by scoring in a 1-0 win over Stoke on Saturday.

Rooney headed home a right-wing cross in first-half injury time to score 4,869 days after his last goal for Everton before joining Manchester United, where he became one of English football’s most decorated players.

“It was a special moment for me,” Rooney said. “There was a lot of relief and a lot of emotion came out in the celebration.

“I’ve felt at home since I first stepped in the training ground. I’ve been looking forward to this moment for a long time.”

It was the 31-year-old striker’s 199th Premier League goal.