10 years on... the goal that created at Roo legend
Posted Friday, October 19, 2012 by The Sun
THIS weekend marks the anniversary of Wayne Rooney's wonder strike which saw him become at Roo legend.
The Scouser made his mark as a 16-year-old by scoring a ‘boy wonder’ goal to help Everton defeat Arsenal at Goodison Park on October 20, 2002.
We relive the moment that had every fan on the edge of their seat hailing the new messiah of English football by hearing from some of the players involved that day.
Richard Wright
FEW people at Goodison knew more about what Rooney could deliver than keeper Richard Wright.
WAYNE'S WORLD ... teenage kicks
Richard Wright
FEW people at Goodison knew more about what Rooney could deliver than keeper Richard Wright.
He had been on the receiving end so many times in training that nothing the teenager did amazed him.
Wright began the move which Rooney finished, with a goal-kick. The fact it came against his old club just added to the moment for the man now third choice at Manchester City.
Wright said: “I was desperate to beat my former club Arsenal and it happened thanks to Wayne’s goal.
“When I saw the ball hit the back of the net I could not have been happier.
“I was the only Everton player who didn’t go and jump on his back — but it was at the other end of the pitch and running was never my forte!
“His goal didn’t surprise me because, as a keeper, the thing that struck me right from the start was the strength of his shooting. I’d played for Arsenal and England but the only comparable striker was Alan Shearer — and Wayne was only at the very start of his career.
“He had power and poise. David Moyes had actually used Wayne as a selling point when I joined Everton in the summer of 2002. You hear about special young players from time to time and once I’d started facing him in training, I knew what the boss meant.
“Wayne was a great trainer, always staying after for extra shooting practice. And the great thing about him is when I’ve bumped into him since, he’s still the same guy — he always comes over and says hello.”
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