Gor Mahia 1-2 Everton: Wayne Rooney scores 34 minutes into his first game back for the Toffees as fan runs on pitch to hug him in celebration
- Wayne Rooney scored the opener just 34 minutes into his return as a Toffees striker on Thursday
- Rooney recently rejoined Everton on a two-year deal after a 13-year stay at Manchester United
- Gor Mahia equalised just one minute after Rooney's goal as Meddie Kagere struck
- Everton manager Ronald Koeman made 11 changes at half-time with Rooney one of the players to come off
- Kieran Dowell added the second and winning goal for Everton with eight minutes left on the clock
Wayne Rooney does not want to use the word 'fairytale' about his return to Everton but it seems he is fighting a losing battle.
Having returned to his boyhood club, Rooney marked his second Everton debut by scoring a spectacular goal.
The 30-yard strike had echoes of his first Premier League goal for the club against Arsenal in 2002, with a touch to control then a curled shot into the top corner. It helped Everton to a 2-1 win over Kenyan side Gor Mahia in Tanzania.
Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring Everton's opening goal against Kenyan side Gor Mohia on Thursday
Rooney struck with a curling effort from outside of the Gor Mahia penalty area after 34 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 onto 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
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.
Meanwhile, Gylfi Sigurdsson is the next target for Everton as their summer spending spree continues.
The Swansea midfielder withdrew from his club's tour to the United States, given the speculation about his future, but Everton have not yet made a bid for the Icelandic star.
Everton boss Ronald Koeman is keen to sign Sigurdsson, given the doubts over Ross Barkley's future, and said: 'It's not a clear situation (on Barkley). He's not fit, that is why he did not travel here. We expect one or two more to come in.'
Most watched Sport videos
- Moment Mookie Betts hits ball into 8-year-old boy's eye
- Atalanta lift Europa League trophy after beating Leverkusen
- Toni Kroos seen in Real Madrid promo before retirement announcement
- Baseball player surprises grandpa with signed first home run ball
- BIZARRE moment Ryan Garcia sings to an ORANGUTAN in his car
- Rory McIlroy interviewed by CBS Golf's Amanda Balionis
- Cops arrest Austin Maddox for chatting online with underage girls
- Tottenham Hotspur football team stars greet fans in Australia
- Leverkusen and Atalanta enter the pitch in Europa League final
- Gareth Southgate explains omissions from England's Euro squad
- Bayer Leverkusen fans take in their Europa League final loss
- Jamie O'Hara shares 'really famous soccer player' to his date on show
Rooney scoring screamers from 30 yards whilst Luka...
by SWEETNUTSAK 416