Wayne goal may lead to recall from Southgate

WAYNE Rooney (right) netted a landmark 200th Premier League goal in the draw at Manchester City, a “sweet moment” that may help bring about the Everton forward’s England return.

Frustrated at a lack of regular first-team opportunities at Manchester United, the 31-year-old this summer returned to his boyhood club after 13 recordbreaking years at Old Trafford.

Rooney managed to put a smile on the face of his former and current club by opening the scoring at City, a 200th Premier League goal that was cancelled out late on by substitute Raheem Sterling as the match finished 1-1.

Asked how sweet it was scoring at the Etihad Stadium, the Everton forward said with a laugh: “What, again?

“Of course, it was nice obviously with my history with Manchester United. I’ve scored a few times here.

“To do it today i n such an important game for us, so early in the season, we’ve got tough games coming up, it was a sweet moment and I am sure the red half of Manchester will have enjoyed that one as well.”

It was another promising display from a rejuvenated Rooney, who ran further than any other Everton player.

“Well, it is not bad for someone who is not fit anymore and can’t get about the pitch,” he said.

“No, I have always put a shift in for the team. I’ve always done that and tonight was no different.

“Obviously, towards the end it was getting tough for us. They were putting a lot of pressure on but I think it was a good result for us.

“We’ll go back, look at it, and see what we could have done better, especially when they had 10 men.”

Last season’s lack of match fitness and form meant Rooney was omitted from England’s last two meet-ups.

The squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia will be named on Thursday and manager Gareth Southgate was at the Etihad Stadium for last night’s game.

“We’ll see,” Rooney said of his England chances. “I am focusing on Everton.

“I am sure I will speak to Gareth Southgate over the next few days and we’ll have a conversation and see what happens.”

Everton boss Ronald Koeman praised Rooney after the match but was less complimentary about the refereeing display of Bobby Madley.

City’s Kyle Walker harshly received a second yellow, with Morgan Schneiderlin picking up a second booking late in the game.

“It’s maybe out of the position of the referee, coming from the back of the player,” Koeman said of Schneiderlin’s sending-off. “Away against City, he’s sending off one player of City and you know what the referee will do then, a yellow and his second, it’s red for us. You can expect that.”