No blue left in Wayne’s world
Back in February in the FA Cup, Wayne Rooney's first return to Everton since his acrimonious transfer to Manchester United was accompanied by police sirens and helicopter surveillance.
In April, when Everton mauled United in the league, Rooney tip-toed around, not wanting to upset anyone. He was determined to applaud the Gwladys Street end despite the abuse.
On Saturday, he was subjected only to regulation, low key booing while scoring the goal his first ever at Goodison Park not in a blue shirt that put to rest the fear of actually beating his boyhood heroes.
That goal killed off a surprisingly limp Everton who showed little of the fire and ferocity that took them into the Champions League qualifiers.
In Rooney's own words: "I have moved on."
His Prestbury mansion, deep in Cheshire's nouveau riche United country, is almost finished and he has long put behind him the delights of Croxteth.
What we saw was a fully-fledged United man. You can never change the team of your youth but you can mature and put away childish things.
Rooney would never have hurled himself at the feet of United's massed ranks of fans a few months back had he scored.
This time there was no hint of guilt. He punished a horror error by Joseph Yobo to score and said: "It was a brilliant feeling. It was a big relief because every time I come back the pressure will be on me to score. To score and kill the game off was brilliant.
"The crowd spurs me on. The fans will always be hostile towards me, but I expect that. I was an Everton player and now I have joined United. I will take it as it comes and keep putting in the performances like I did in this one.
"I am a professional footballer for United now. The fans gave me a bit of stick but that is part of the game. You move on. As for the goal, it was a real blow for them. Joseph Yobo is a good player so I was surprised to say the least.
"I was just about to turn away when I saw the ball rolling across the area. I didn't know whether to take a touch or not I was so surprised. I almost had too much time."
Everton were already a goal behind due to a predatory Ruud van Nistelrooy strike and the last thing the Toffees needed was Rooney to score 29 seconds into a second period, half-time plans for a blitz already put into place.
His boss Alex Ferguson got the campaign start he demanded. He said: "We must be better. We got off to a terrible start last term and never recovered, but this time we're off to a good start and hopefully we will take advantage of that."
Everton know they must quickly recapture last season's drive but boss David Moyes claimed: "The mistake made it hard for us. But people are talking about United as champions so I didn't think we were that far off them for long periods."
But Moyes was scathing about Yobo's error. He said: "A centre half does not play square across his goal, they are there to kick it up the park and head it away. First of all do your job and Joseph knows I am disappointed that he gave them the opportunity to kill the game with a tap-in."
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
