Wayne Rooney has revealed why his stunning long-range strike against West Ham United was so special to him.
The forward unleashed an astonishing effort from deep within his own half to complete his hat-trick in a 4-0 home win back in November 2017.
Not only was it his first and only hat-trick in an Everton shirt, the England legend said it was special because it was the first time he had scored at Goodison Park’s famous Gwladys Street end since he had returned to his boyhood club.
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There was also a third reason he savoured it, he admitted, as he reflected on some of his favourite memories at the Grand Old Lady while " target="_blank" class="link c2"> touring Everton’s new stadium with club officials.
Rooney said he had been left “fuming” because prior to that match interim manager David Unsworth had dropped him. He said: “I enjoyed the West Ham goal as it was for the hat-trick, so it was my third goal, but that was my first goal back at the Gwladys Street when I came back. So all the goals I had scored previous to that were at the Park End or away from home.
“So that was my first one back at the Gwladys Street, it was the hat trick-goal and Unsy had dropped me as well, he had played Beni Baningime ahead of me so I was fuming with that. That was Unsy’s last game and he put me back in the team - and I scored my first and only hat trick for Everton.”
