Wayne Rooney said he's never before "struck a football better" than he did when scoring from inside his own half to complete his first Everton hat trick on Wednesday.

Rooney had already scored twice in the first half when West Ham goalkeeper Joe Hart cleared the ball away to midfield, where it fell to Rooney to belt home a drive into the gaping net from 60 yards out.

At 32, Rooney has scored nine hat trick in his career, but the previous eight came for Manchester United, and he said he was thrilled to record his first for Everton in the 4-0 win.

Asked if he has ever scored a better goal than the one which clinched his treble, Rooney told BT Sport: "I don't think so. It's one of, if not, the best goal I've scored. I hit it as well as I've ever kicked a football.

"To make it my first hat trick for Everton, I'm delighted."

Rooney's hat trick was his first in the Premier League since Sept. 10, 2011, when he helped United beat Bolton 5-0. The gap between the two hat tricks is the longest by any player in Premier League history, according to Opta.

He last hat trick in any competition came in a Champions League playoff at Club Brugge in August 2015.

"Great hat trick, great display from Wayne," caretaker boss David Unsworth told the BBC. "He was captain for a reason...

"Wayne has played in midfield before. He feels and sees that might be his role moving forward. Especially when he plays like that."

West Ham boss David Moyes, who previously coach Rooney at United, was not surprised by his performance.

"It's what Wayne can do," Moyes said. "He's always got goals in him and technical ability. He's got the knack of being in the right place to score goals."

Everton now turn their focus to incoming manager Sam Allardyce, who set to complete a deal and watched on from the stands, and Rooney said the club would behind him.

"Of course he'll be pleased, but for us as a team, as a club, it was important for us to show some pride. As David Unsworth said, we've been hurting," he said.

"It was important we got a clean sheet first of all, it has been long overdue, but [also] a victory to try and steady the last few weeks we've been going through."

Rooney also paid tribute to Unsworth for overseeing the club for the past few weeks.

"We've got to give thanks to David Unsworth," Rooney said. "He's stepped in at a difficult time for the football club, he's a true Everton person.

"I'm delighted for him we've got this victory because it's an important win for the club but also for David Unsworth."

Unsworth said he would return his previous role as under-23s manager, adding: "It's not about me, I'm just delighted for our football club tonight, it's a proud night for everybody connected with the club and a much-needed win."

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by ESPN Staff

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