Rooney’s return proves edgy affair

Wayne Rooney’s competitive Everton return threatened to turn into an embarrassment before captain Leighton Baines struck to give his side a slender first-leg lead in their Europa League third qualifying round tie with Ruzemberok.

The Slovakian side hit the bar prior to Baines’s 65th-minute intervention and almost grabbed an equaliser to take into next week’s second leg, but substitute Milos Lacny missed a glorious chance late on.

Rooney had a handful of chances to mark his second competitive debut for his boyhood club with a goal, but there was no mistaking the frustration of a side who started with £100m of new signings in their starting line-up.

Third in last season’s Fortuna Liga, Ruzemberok had been expected to roll over, but instead their quest to puncture Everton’s mood of pre-season optimism is alive and well for next week’s trip to the Futbalovy Stadion.

Former Manchester United player Rooney was making his first competitive appearance for the Toffees in 14 years.

Rooney said: “It’s something I’ve been looking forward to for the last few weeks.

“It’s obviously great to be at Goodison wearing the blue shirt, it was a great feeling.

“But it was an important game for us so I had to put my emotions to one side. I’ve done that now and can get down to focusing more on the football.”

On the match, 31-year-old Rooney added: “It’s very early on in the season... I know we can play better, but it’s important to win and get the clean sheet.

“Getting the goal gave us a sense of relief and control of the game.”