Wayne Rooney scores 200 Premier League goals: Sportsmail's reporters pick their favourite strike from his time at Manchester United and Everton

• e-mail

Wayne Rooney became only the second player ever to reach the milestone of 200 Premier League goals with his strike for Everton at Manchester City on Monday night.

Rooney trails only Alan Shearer, who notched an incredible 260 Premier League goals, in the all-time list after a double-century of strikes for Everton and Manchester United.

There have been some classic goals along the way, from the incredible 30-yarder that made his name as a teenager to the fabulous free-kick that sealed his status as United's all-time top goalscorer, via that overhead kick. 

Sportsmail's team of experts were given the task of selecting their favourite among all of Rooney's league strikes, and here are their verdicts.

Wayne Rooney enjoys the moment after scoring his 200th Premier League goal on Monday

Rooney slotted past Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson to reach his milestone

CHRIS WHEELER

v Manchester City (February, 2011) 

Rooney’s spectacular overhead kick against Manchester City at Old Trafford in February 2011, going airborne to meet Nani’s deflected cross and send the ball arcing into the net for United’s late winner. The technique, the execution, the pure theatre of it all. It was a privilege to be there to see it.

IAN HERBERT 

v Manchester City (February, 2011) 

It has to be the scissor kick – that 78th minute strike from a beautifully floated Nani cross. It wasn’t just the quality of the execution. The ice cool Rooney showed came at a time when questions were being asked about his contribution and there were murmurings about Javier Hernandez being a better option.

Wayne Rooney scored his overhead kick against Manchester City back in 2011 at Old Trafford

The ice-cool Rooney celebrates in front a jubilant home crowd after his incredible effort

MIKE KEEGAN

v Arsenal (October, 2002)

Toss up between his first and the Newcastle volley. The City overhead kick was probably the most dramatic but it came off his shin, whereas the Exocet against the Toon was sheer technique. I'll go for his first Premier League strike. For a 16-year-old to do that against a side such as what Arsenal were back then (Rooney's goal triggered their first top flight defeat on the road in 17 months) served notice on what was to follow. Outrageous.

Rooney holds off Lauren before unleashing the strike that made his name against Arsenal

The then 16-year-old soaks in the Glory at Goodison Park after his remarkable goal

CRAIG HOPE

v West Ham (March, 2014)

The lob from the halfway line at West Ham in 2014. It is such an audacious thing to try at any level and is anything but a hit and hope, it requires technique, power and bravery. That goal had them all. It's the sort of strike which provokes an involuntary celebration, regardless of your club allegiance.

This Rooney volley from all of 60 yards out stunned Upton Park into silence in March 2014

RIATH AL-SAMARRAI

v Arsenal (October, 2002) 

That goal against Arsenal for Everton in 2002. A 16-year-old on £80 per week. One of those moments that makes you find a new combination for your swear words.

LAURIE WHITWELL

v Arsenal (February, 2010) 

The bicycle kick to beat Manchester City, the volley mid-argument against Newcastle, the strike from half-way at West Ham; all spectacular. But let’s go for something a little different: Rooney’s 100th Premier League goal, a lightening-fast counter-attack in victory at Arsenal in February 2010. Rooney started the move from a corner, feeding Nani and racing 60 yards to be in position to receive the ball back, sweeping into the far corner with his first touch. It was breath-taking, and an illustration of a facet to Rooney’s game that should not be forgotten. 

Rooney latches on to Nani's pass to cap a brilliant United counter-attack in 2010

SAM CUNNINGHAM

v Newcastle (April, 2005) 

The volley against Newcastle in April 2005 summed up everything about Rooney. Manchester United were trailing against a Newcastle side in terrible form and Rooney’s rage was beginning to get the better of him. Moments before the strike he was booked for a late challenge on James Milner.

Rooney launched into a verbal tirade at referee Neal Barry — barely paying attention to the game — as he jogged towards Newcastle’s goal, when a long ball was launched forward and Newcastle’s Peter Ramage headed a clearance into his path. Rooney channelled his anger into one of the sweetest volley’s you'll ever see and the ball flew off his right boot and soared into the top left corner.

There were gasps of disbelief around Old Trafford.

Both of Rooney's feet leave the ground as he slams in a rocket volley against Newcastle 

Rooney punches the air in celebration after scoring his unforgettable goal in 2005

KIERAN GILL

v Newcastle (April, 2005) 

It has to be the goal when Rooney went from arguing with referee Neale Barry to taking his anger out on a volley that gave Shay Given no chance. The Newcastle goalkeeper would've done well just to see it, let alone save it. Manchester United were 1-0 down at the time but went on to win 2-1. With 14 goals against them, Newcastle have been Rooney's favourite opponent in England. 

DOMINIC KING

v Stoke (August, 2017)  

As is always the case with these questions, I don't want to pick an obvious goal, so I'm going for the one on his second Everton debut 10 days ago. It was a fine one, a bullet header from a peach of a cross from Dominic Calvert-Lewin. There can't have been too many more in the double century that meant more to him and it was the feel good strike to put the gloss on the best transfer story of the summer. 

Rooney celebrates his return to Everton after scoring in his first home league game in 13 years