Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

EPL PIX: Rooney joins Shearer in 200-goal club, shows haters how it's done!

August 22, 2017 11:12 IST

Everton's Wayne Rooney celebrates on scoring his 200th EPL goal against Manchester City on Monday

IMAGE: Everton's Wayne Rooney celebrates on scoring his 200th EPL goal against Manchester City on Monday. Photograph: Everton/Twitter

Wayne Rooney scored his 200th Premier League goal in Everton's 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Monday and gave another display which showed his career is far from over.

Rooney's 35th minute goal looked to have earned Everton a surprise victory at the Etihad Stadium before substitute Raheem Sterling volleyed in an 82nd minute equaliser.

Although he did not end as the match-winning hero, Rooney was able to savour the moment he became just the second player to reach 200 Premier League goals.

Former Newcastle and England striker Alan Shearer, who ended his career with 260 goals, welcomed Rooney to the exclusive club by tweeting: "It's been lonely in this @premierleague 200 club. Welcome and congratulations @WayneRooney".

183 of Rooney’s 200 goals have come in a Manchester United shirt.

Wayne Rooney has copped a lot of unnecessary insult from unruly Manchester City fans over the years and it was no different on Monday

IMAGE: Wayne Rooney has copped a lot of unnecessary insult from unruly Manchester City fans over the years and it was no different on Monday night. Photograph: Wayne Rooney/Twitter

"It was nice. To do it today in such an important game for us, with tough games coming up, it was a sweet moment and I am sure the red half of Manchester will have enjoyed it as well," said Rooney.

Rooney's 50th, 150th and 200th EPL goals have all come against Manchester City.

Rooney later tweeted a picture of himself celebrating in front of City fans, the cameras catching a handful of them giving him the finger salute -- these are the ones who have always given him a hard time whenever he’s found the back of the net.

“Always nice to see a few familiar faces,” was his cheeky comment to the picture.

Rooney's move last month back to the club he has supported since his youth and where he made his professional debut, was questioned by some critics who wondered whether he might have run out of steam.

Rooney has scored all his milestone goals against Manchester City 

IMAGE: Rooney has scored all his milestone goals against Manchester City. Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images via Reuters

But the 31-year-old, who scored on his home debut against StokeCity last week, gave another display of clever passing and positioning as well as his trademark finishing.

"It is not bad for someone who is not fit anymore and can't get about the pitch! I have always put a shift in for the team and tonight is no different," he said.

"The manager has made it clear he wants to play me in the attacking positions. I have done that throughout my career and the thing for me is to play. I didn't play as much last year and if you don't play you don't get that match fitness," he said.

Rooney's revival in blue has raised the issue of whether he could earn a recall to Gareth Southgate's England squad ahead of next month's internationals.

"I am focusing on Everton. I am sure I will speak to Gareth Southgate over the next few days and we will see what happens," said the forward.

AGENCIES