200 Not Out: Coral celebrates Wayne Rooney’s top 10 Prem goals
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Everton ace netted landmark goal at the Etihad
He was once a blue, then a red, and now a blue again. But one thing which hasn’t changed is Wayne Rooney’s eye for goal – and penchant for the spectacular.
The Everton striker bagged the 200th Premier League goal of his career against Manchester City on Monday night, making him only the second player in Prem history to reach the illustrious double-century.
So, in honour of Rooney’s incredible achievement, the Coral News team have picked out the 10 most memorable goals which helped him on the way to 200 not out…
Everton v Arsenal (19 October 2002)
“Remember the name, Wayne Rooney!” yelled Clive Tyldesley, as the 16-year-old struck his first ever Prem goal, with a stunning effort which curled past David Seaman and duly ended the Gunners’ 30-game unbeaten league run.
Man United v Newcastle United (24 April 2005)
So often a tormentor of the Magpies, with 14 goals against the North-East outfit, this remains the pick of the bunch. The fiery youngster paused his argument with referee Neale Barry to take advantage of Peter Ramage’s lacklustre clearance, producing a thunderous volley into the top left-hand corner of the net. Spectacular stuff.
Bolton Wanderers v Man United (28 October 2006)
Look away, Trotters fans, because this is the first of two Rooney gems netted against your side. United won 4-0 on the day, with the Croxteth-born striker bagging his first Premier League hat-trick. His second – a sumptuous finish past Jussi Jaaskelainen – was the pick of a terrific trio.
Man United v Bolton Wanderers (17 March 2007)
This was a classic counter-attacking move, fuelled by Rooney and Ronaldo. The Portuguese exchanged a one-two with ‘Wazza’, before feeding through the England striker, who took one touch before duly chipping the Trotters’ stopper with an impudent effort.
Everton v Man United (28 April 2007)
The Red Devils were 2-0 down at Goodison Park, with their title dreams up in the air, before a stunning comeback, secured by Rooney’s winning goal. As well as a vitally important strike, the Liverpudlian’s build-up play – including a slick nutmeg of Tony Hibbert – was a thing of beauty.
Man United v Man City (12 February 2011)
City fans will tell you that Rooney ‘shinned’ it, United fans will say it’s the greatest goal of the Premier League era. Whatever your take, Wazza’s acrobatic effort secured three points in this Manchester derby in truly sensational fashion.
Fulham v Man United (21 December 2011)
The Red Devils recorded one of their biggest away wins in recent times as they put Fulham to the sword at Craven Cottage, winning 5-0. Their fourth was a blistering long-range effort from a certain Mr. Rooney, which left opposition goalkeeper David Stockdale helpless.
Hull City v Man United (26 December 2013)
The David Moyes era was a far from happy one for fans, but Rooney and co. helped produce a memorable victory in East Yorkshire to provide some Christmas cheer. Having trailed 2-0, the Red Devils eventually clawed level thanks to a stunning looping effort from the England ace, before going on to win 3-2.
Stoke City v Man United (21 January 2017)
This one could well have made the list for context alone, securing the 31-year-old’s place as the club’s all-time record goalscorer. But this effort was just as eye-catching as it was historic, with Rooney blasting home a free-kick from a near-impossible angle to bag an injury-time point in the Potteries.
Everton v Stoke (12 August 2017)
The first goal of the boyhood Evertonian’s Rooturn, this was Wayne at his clinical best. A pinpoint header to secure victory which took him to 199, followed by a knee-slide in front of a joyous Goodison Park crowd.
Rooney’s next test comes in Everton’s visit to Chelsea on Sunday. He’s 13/5 to take his tally past 200 at Stamford Bridge, while 8/1 says he opens the scoring for the third time in four games.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
