Rooney scores stunner in Everton win

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Wayne Rooney marked his Everton return with a stunning goal as they beat Gor Mahia 2-1 in their opening pre-season game on Thursday.

Making his first official appearance for the Toffees since leaving the club for Manchester United in 2004, Rooney opened the scoring in Tanzania with a long-range effort on 34 minutes.

Kenyan Premier League leaders Gor Mahia responded immediately through Jacques Tuyisenge before Kieran Dowell won the match with a brilliant 25-yard strike.

Ronald Koeman named Rooney and fellow recruit Davy Klaassen in his starting line-up, while Aaron Lennon returned for his first appearance since February following treatment for a stress-related illness. The Dutchman changed his entire XI at half-time, handing a debut to new arrival Michael Keane.

It was a dream return for Rooney, who lasted 45 minutes before Ronald Koeman changed his entire XI at half-time, with debuts too for new signings Davy Klaassen and Michael Keane.

Everton created little in a sloppy first half but went ahead thanks to a moment of magic by Rooney ten minutes before half-time.

The former England captain, re-signed from United earlier this week, rolled back the years with a super strike from 30 yards that left goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch grasping at thin air.

But poor marking by Everton from a Gor Mahia corner led to an immediate reply as Tuyisenge nodded in at the near post.


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