Wayne Rooney awarded goal of the month for Everton star's stunning strike from own half against West Ham

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Wayne Rooney has been awarded the Premier League goal of the month trophy for his wonderful strike for Everton against West Ham.

The former England captain finished November in stunning style, scoring a hat-trick against West Ham at Goodison Park that was capped off by a wonder strike from his own half.

And he has rolled back the years since, scoring against Newcastle in mid-week and in the Merseyside derby last weekend.

Wayne Rooney looks wistfully at the goal of the month trophy after picking it up

The Everton midfielder won the award for November for his goal against West Ham

Rooney struck the ball from his own half to cap off a brilliant hat-trick at Goodison Park

The strike against West Ham came after a poor clearance from Joe Hart, who had come rushing out of his net to knock the ball away.

It fell to the feet of Rooney, who pinged it towards the net with his right boot.

There was a desperate attempt from Angelo Ogbonna to reach the ball, but it flew over his head and landed in the back of the net in front of the Gwladys Street end.

'It's one of - if not the best - goal I've ever scored,' he told Everton's official website after the goal. 'I think I hit it as well as I've ever kicked a football!' 

The former England captain has been in a rich vein of goalscoring form over recent weeks

Rooney reached the ball in his own half after a questionable clearance from Joe Hart

The ball flew over West Ham defender Angelo Ogbonna, who attempted to head it clear

Everton assistant manager Craig Shakespeare also recently commented: 'I'm very impressed with Wayne.

'We know what his pedigree is about but his goalscoring record of late is very, very good.

'To score the winner, being in the right place at the right time last night, obviously he is in a purple patch but the team as well is performing well.'