Baines to Roo rescue

LEIGHTON BAINES grabbed the winner to rescue Wayne Rooney’s homecoming party .

Rooney’s return was in danger of turning into an embarrassing damp squib before Baines broke the deadlock in the 65th minute.

The Everton skipper’s shot was deflected home to end the stubborn resistance of the Slovakian minnows.

And the Blues will head to Ruzomberok on Thursday in a bid to finish the job and reach next month’s Europa League play-offs.

Rooney said: “It’s great to be at Goodison wearing the blue shirt, it’s a great feeling.

“It was an important game for us so I had to put my emotions to one side. Getting the goal gave us a sense of relief and control of the game.”

The former England captain deserved to be a winner after working tirelessly up front – 13 years after he left the Toffees to join Manchester United.

But Everton were undercooked against Ruzomberok in the earliest competitive game they’ve played in a season. Michael Keane, Cuco Martina, Davy Klaassen and Sandro Ramirez all made debuts but they lacked a cutting edge.

The Goodison Park side were almost embarrassed when Jan Maslo headed against the bar with Maarten Stekelenburg beaten.

Then left-back Baines eased the home fans’ nerves and Kevin Mirallas was denied a second when Matus Macik saved his header.