Wayne Rooney underwhelmed for Everton again... is his place under threat just seven weeks into return?

  • Wayne Rooney's place in the Everton starting lineup could be under threat
  • He has not been involved in a winning Everton performance since August 17 
  • Rooney did manage to end his six-game barren run against Apollon Limassol
  • But the 31-year-old's presence seems to upset the chemistry of this Everton side
  • Oumar Niasse is one man who could replace him after his display at the weekend

Just seven weeks after his triumphant Everton homecoming, Wayne Rooney played against Apollon Limassol like a man who already knows he can't take his first-team place for granted.

The £45million arrival of Gylfi Sigurdsson and re-emergence of Oumar Niasse has changed the landscape at Goodison Park with Rooney under extra scrutiny after pleading guilty to a charge of drink driving earlier this month.

The 31-year-old needed to do something to justify Ronald Koeman's faith in bringing him back home from Manchester United.

Wayne Rooney hasn't been involved of a winning Everton performance since  August 17

Wayne Rooney hasn't been involved of a winning Everton performance since August 17

He'd failed to score in his last six games and his record of two goals in 12 matches compared to Niasse's three in 59 minutes.


Everton's only Premier League win since the opening day – when Rooney headed in against Stoke – was a comeback achieved against Bournemouth after Rooney had been replaced by Niasse.

The home faithful applauded Rooney's name politely rather than deliriously before kick-off against the Europa League Cypriots and there were groans at his first miscontrol. When he willingly chased a long punt by Jordan Pickford he was a distant second to the ball to Limassol goalkeeper Bruno Vale.

Rooney had sloppy moments on Thursday night and seems to upset the chemistry of the side

Rooney had sloppy moments on Thursday night and seems to upset the chemistry of the side

He couldn't be the major influence he was for many years for Manchester United and England

He couldn't be the major influence he was for many years for Manchester United and England

Rooney scratched his head when Adrian put the visitors ahead after 13 minutes following a blunder by Ashley Williams. He then inadvertently foiled a promising Everton move by kicking the ball from his right foot onto his left and out for a goalkick.

With the hapless Sandro Ramirez struggling as the nominal No 9, Rooney tried to take up more advanced positions and was in the right place when Hector Yuste's appalling backpass went past Vale, allowing Rooney a 21st minute tap-in.

Six minutes later, he was in agony as an overhead kick saw his left wrist trod on. He required strapping and then painkillers to carry on playing.

Everton took the lead after 66 minutes when substitute Nikola Vlasic scored but despite showing decent stamina levels, Rooney couldn't be the major influence he was for so many years with Manchester United and England. 

With the re-emergence of Oumar Niasse, Rooney could face losing his first-team place

With the re-emergence of Oumar Niasse, Rooney could face losing his first-team place

Even when Roberge was sent off after 86 minutes, Limassol were able to level with 10 men, a header by Yuste with two minutes left.

Niasse will surely come in for Everton's Premier League game against Burnley on Sunday as the team's main striker.

But with Rooney appearing to cramp the style of Sigurdsson and youthful, energetic players like Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Vlasic demanding starts, Koeman has to think very carefully about his best XI. Is Sigurdsson - or indeed Davy Klaasen or Ross Barkley when fit - a better bet at No 10.

Rooney was not the worst Everton player on show on Thursday night. But his presence could be seen to upset the chemistry of the side. He still hasn't been involved at the end of a winning Everton performance since Hajduk Split on August 17.

Niasse is expected to come in for Everton's game against Burnley as the team's main striker

Niasse is expected to come in for Everton's game against Burnley as the team's main striker