Wayne Rooney helped Everton open their Premier League campaign with a win over Stoke City.

The returning striker ensured his first domestic outing in a Blues’ shirt since 2004 would go down in memory with a goal on the stroke of half time.

Rooney rose to head home a cross from Dominic Calvert-Lewin to open his account and hand Ronald Koeman’s side maximum points at the first attempt.

Another summer arrival also proved influential late on as Jordan Pickford pulled off a superb save to deny Xherdan Shaqiri an equaliser for the Potters.

Here were the key talking points from Goodison Park:

Script perfectly written for Rooney

 

It just had to be, didn’t it?

Football loves a fairy tale story and none have captured the imagination this summer quite like Wayne Rooney’s Goodison Park homecoming.

The sentiment behind his return has helped to mask some of the doubts that many on Merseyside have raised about his return from Manchester United.

It is clear this is not the same Rooney that once tore up the Premier League. Instead he is trying to find his place for both club and country in the latter years of his career.

The pressure was on the boyhood Evertonian from the start but if there is one thing he has always been good at, it is answering his critics.

A goal on his second league debut will have gone some way to doing just that.

Keane can be Koeman’s new Stones

 

Before John Stones’ departure to Manchester City last summer, the talk had been of how the defender would develop his game under Ronald Koeman’s tutelage.

That was never to be but it could be another England centre-back that benefits from the Dutchman’s extensive knowledge in the form of Michael Keane.

The summer arrival from Burnley is not yet near Koeman’s level but the signs are there that his game could come on leaps and bounds under his new manager.

Solid, comfortable striding out of defence with the ball and with a passing range that puts Everton’s midfielders to shame, Keane is the player that Stones thinks he is.

He will face tougher and more physical strikers than Saido Berahino this season but his solid start suggests that £30 million fee could end up being a bargain.

Schneiderlin still bosses for Blues

 

Since his January arrival, Morgan Schneiderlin has been nothing short of superb.

He is now very much a vital cog in this side, with his calm and composed performances at the base of the Blues’ midfield often key to how his side fares.

The France international was at his regular best against Stoke, marshalling Koeman’s troops and keeping the likes of Joe Allen quiet throughout.

Schneiderlin missed several big games last season and it will be vital that does not happen again, especially considering the unenviable games ahead in the opening weeks.

Jagielka finds a new lease of life

 

Phil Jagielka had to resign himself to a place on the bench for must of the previous campaign, with Ashley Williams was preferred ahead of him.

This year those roles may be reversed.

When Koeman elected to switch to a back four at half-time, it was the Welshman who was withdrawn for Cuco Martina while Jagielka remained.

The faith from the Everton manager was justified. Jagielka was solid throughout and dealt with Xherdan Shaqiri cutting inside comfortably all afternoon.

Having signed a contract extension, it is clear Jagielka has been impressing off the pitch and if he continues in this manner on it, that will prove richly deserved.