Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney's long-rumored move from Everton to D.C. United may be "close" to completion, ESPN FC's Rob Dawson reported Monday.

According to Dawson, Rooney traveled to the United States following the end of the Premier League season for some firsthand reconnaissance and "is on the verge of agreeing to the move."

Rooney is coming off a disappointing 2017-18 season for the Toffees. He made 31 league appearances, scoring 10 goals and registering two assists.

While Rooney's days as an elite striker in a major European league are almost certainly over, he could make an immediate impact for a D.C. United side that has the fewest points in MLS (10).

Rooney's true value, though, will likely come from a commercial perspective.

D.C. United is last in attendance, averaging 8,762 fans per game. Even the Columbus Crew, which has the specter of relocation hanging over the franchise, is drawing better.

United will christen Audi Field in its July 14 against the Vancouver Whitecaps. As it moves into a new stadium, the club will want a marquee star to help drive interest, especially among the more casual fans who are familiar with Rooney from his days with Manchester United.

Wayne Rooney will reportedly have a medical with DC United on Thursday ahead of a potential transfer from Everton. 

According to Steven Goff of the Washington Post, the former Manchester United and England forward is edging closer to a move to Major League Soccer after just a solitary campaign back at his boyhood club.

"The sides must still work out details on a multiyear pact, and United will have to reach agreement with Premier League side Everton on a transfer," said Goff. "But his visit to the city is a strong indication that things are moving along and an accord is near."

According to Paul Joyce of The Times, Rooney is moving closer to completing a transfer away from Goodison Park:

Wayne Rooney to hold talks with D.C. United this week. No deal complete, further discussions at this stage

— paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) May 23, 2018

Wayne Rooney will hold talks with D.C. United this week ahead of a potential move to MLS, reports @_pauljoyce pic.twitter.com/Ts7KGO5A1j

— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 23, 2018

Goff added that England's all-time record goalscorer is also set to tour Washington and visit the site of the club's new stadium ahead of the possible transfer, with a source referenced in the report adding that Rooney has already looked at houses in North Virginia.

Rooney left Manchester United in the summer of 2017 as their all-time record goalscorer, a five-time Premier League winner and with a UEFA Champions League title.

After struggling throughout 2016-17 under new manager Jose Mourinho, Rooney switched back to Everton, and initially it was a move energised the forward again, as he netted in his first two games for the club.

Tony Scott of the Liverpool Echo summed up how important he was to Everton last season in an attacking sense:

EFC stats 17/18
Wayne Rooney EFC Team ranking-

1st - Goals scored (10 goals from 27 starts)
2nd - Chances created (Sigurdsson 1st)
1st - Shots
1st - Shots on target
2nd - Key passes per game (Sigurdsson 1st)
1st - Goals involved in.

EFC failed to win a PL match without Rooney

— Tony Scott (@Tony_Scott11) May 10, 2018

However, after a change of manager, with Ronald Koeman replaced by Sam Allardyce, Rooney was shifted into a deeper midfield position, and while he was able to produce some good performances—including a hat-trick against West Ham United—in the main he toiled.

While the trademark passion and industry remains, Rooney no longer has the dynamism to get around the pitch in the way he used to. 

Rob Vera from The Blue Room believes that, after some significant restructuring at Everton at the end of the season, moving Rooney on would be the best decision for the club:

The single most important addition to the fortunes of the Everton squad this summer would be the subtraction of Wayne Rooney. Having him at the club creates an implied and undue pressure on the new manager to play someone who can no longer perform consistently at this level. #EFC

— Rob Vera (@TheRobVera) May 18, 2018

Everton have brought in a new director of football in Marcel Brands, while Allardyce, sacked at the end of the season, is poised to be replaced by Marco Silva, per Sky Sports.

Letting Rooney depart would mean Everton were letting their top scorer go for the second consecutive summer, as Romelu Lukaku left for United ahead of the most recent season. But with Everton seemingly taking a more long-term view in their approach, perhaps it's best for the club and Rooney to go their separate ways again.

Everton's Wayne Rooney is reportedly heading for Major League Soccer this summer, with a £12 million ($16.2 million) deal said to have been agreed "in principle" with D.C. United.

According to Sky Sports News, the Toffees' showdown with West Ham United is set to be the final time the former Manchester United and England man will play in the Premier League, with a deal to move to the United States struck.

"This latest deal was drafted over the past seven weeks, during several visits to the States by [Rooney's agent Paul] Stretford alongside D.C. United's chief executive Jason Levien," Sky Sports News reported.

It's added that while the agreement has not been finalised, it "would take a significant change of heart by Rooney and his family to stop the transfer going ahead."

The MLS club is hoping to confirm the deal on July 10, when the league's secondary transfer window opens.

Rooney returned to boyhood club Everton last summer after a remarkable spell at United, where he became the club's all-time record goalscorer. Squawka Football reminded us just how much the forward has achieved in English football:

Wayne Rooney is the only player to score 200+ goals and provide 100+ assists in the Premier League.

208 goals ⚽️
103 assists 🅰️

A true Premier League legend. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/jTiiQxmvQw

— Squawka (@Squawka) May 10, 2018

He started this campaign in excellent form, scoring on the opening day of the Premier League season against Stoke City and then against Manchester City in a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

After the 3-1 win over Swansea City in December, the former England skipper had netted 10 goals and put up two assists in what had been an awful season for the Toffees. However, his form has since nosedived, with no goal or assist notched in the Premier League.

The EFC Statto account broke down the distinction between the two halves of Rooney's campaign:

Rooney before and after Xmas:

Before:
Games - 16
Goals - 10
Assists - 2
Chances created - 22
Successful att. third passes pg - 9.3
Recoveries pg - 5.4

After:
Games - 15
Goals - 0
Assists - 0
Chances created - 12
Successful att. third passes pg - 7.7
Recoveries pg - 4.5#EFC

— EFC Statto (@EFC_Statto) May 8, 2018

In fairness, those figures reflect a change in setup, with Everton boss Sam Allardyce using Rooney in a deeper midfield position since his appointment in late November.

But at 32, England's record goalscorer lacked the dynamism and discipline to play in the role against better teams in the division, most noticeably in recent outings against City and Liverpool; he was substituted in both of those matches.

Phil McNulty of BBC Sport reflected on what has been a mixed spell for Rooney:

Wayne Rooney's return to Everton has not provided the fairytale ending to his Premier League that he wanted - but he was not a failure either. He provided some of the best moments in a joyless season at Goodison Park.

— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) May 10, 2018

Alan Myers of Sky Sports praised the professionalism the Everton man has shown whenever he has donned the blue shirt:

Should he move on, whether he had a good game or not, Wayne always gave everything on the pitch this season, he had real desire and determination to win every game for Everton, which for me is a minimum, he never fell short of that. pic.twitter.com/vt1eVRv4S6

— Alan Myers (@ALANMYERSMEDIA) May 10, 2018

MLS will pose an entirely different challenge for the forward if he moves. The travelling for away matches, for example, is a culture shock to many.

D.C. United will hope Rooney's arrival will give them a much-needed boost. They are bottom of the Eastern Conference, having won just one of their seven games this season.

Wayne Rooney has told Everton that he wants a transfer to D.C. United in MLS, according to Matt Lawton of the Daily Mail.

Lawton reported: "The former England captain is on the verge of joining the MLS club after his representatives travelled to Washington, D.C., for talks. Rooney's agent, Paul Stretford, was in the U.S. capital to discuss a contract that will run until the end of the 2020 MLS season."

The deal would reportedly be for a £12.5 million fee.

Steven Goff of the Washington Post reported that "inside the old walls of team headquarters at RFK Stadium, there is cautious optimism—'We're holding our breath,' one person said—that United will land the greatest scorer in the history of Manchester United and the English national team, who also stands second in Premier League annals."

Rooney, 32, has scored 10 goals and put up two assists in 31 Premier League appearances (27 starts) for Everton this season. His performances have earned him an average grade of 6.64 from WhoScored.com, ranking him 15th on the Toffees. 

The impact he could have on D.C. United and MLS, however, is far greater. Much like Zlatan Ibrahimovic with L.A. Galaxy, Rooney would add a big-name, marketable star to the league, albeit one perhaps past his prime.

Rooney's move isn't guaranteed. As Goff noted, Rooney is set to make around $10 million this season, meaning United would have to open up the purse strings to satisfy him. But per Goff, United have reportedly been monitoring players like Javier Hernandez, Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli and Andres Iniesta and reached out to Rooney last summer, so the club appears ready to make a splash.

Everton striker Wayne Rooney is reportedly in advanced talks to join Major League Soccer side D.C. United this summer.

The 32-year-old is said to have become frustrated at Goodison Park and negotiations have "accelerated in recent weeks," according to Steven Goff at the Washington Post.

Everton manager Sam Allardyce said Tuesday he wants Rooney to stay and that it would take a "massive" offer to tempt him away from his boyhood club, per David Prentice at the Liverpool Echo:

"There are rumours about Wayne going elsewhere abroad – in China and America – but rumours are rumours we won’t find out until Wayne and his agent have been contacted whether he wants to move, but at the moment he is an Everton fan and an Everton player. So I wouldn’t consider anything on the cards on the moment. It would have to be massive for him to want to leave Everton. Do I want him to stay? Yes."

Rooney is Everton's top scorer this season with 11 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions for the Toffees. He also won the club's goal of the season award for his strike against West Ham United, as shown by the club's Twitter account:

⚽️ | With 57% of the public vote, @WayneRooney's strike from inside his own half against West Ham is named the @Carling Goal of the Season. #TheDixies pic.twitter.com/EkdNfjhjxm

— Everton (@Everton) May 1, 2018

The former England international only rejoined Everton from Manchester United in summer 2017, but it has been a difficult season for the Merseyside club. Manager Ronald Koeman was sacked in October 2017 after a poor start, and new boss Sam Allardyce has stabilised the club but is unpopular with supporters.

Everton fans showed their disapproval by walking out in protest at Allardyce at the end of Saturday's final home game of the season against Southampton, per David Maddock at the Mirror.

Rooney has defended his manager, per Indy Football:

Wayne Rooney on Sam Allardyce: "He has done the job that’s been asked of him. When he took over we were 17th in the league. We’re sitting here now in ninth position." pic.twitter.com/ri4xPFN6R5

— Indy Football (@IndyFootball) April 19, 2018

Yet there has been friction between the striker and his manager. Rooney reacted angrily after being substituted in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool, per Telegraph Football:

A furious Wayne Rooney mouths 'bull****' as he's replaced 15 minutes into the second half.

Everton 0-0 Liverpool #EVELIVhttps://t.co/0PufqNuVZL pic.twitter.com/jZcOJI3Ny0

— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) April 7, 2018

Rooney has struggled for form in recent months and is yet to score in 2018. The striker is increasingly frustrated at Everton, and there are divisions at the club, per Dominic King for the Daily Mail.

The striker has also not quite had the impact at Everton that he might have envisaged when he returned, although he does still have another year left on his current contract.

Sports writer Thomas Floyd said he could have a big impact at D.C United:

I'm convinced a 32-year-old Wayne Rooney could have a David Villa-type impact in #MLS. The ability is there and he plays with work ethic — he just isn't the type to phone it in.

— Thomas Floyd (@ThomasFloyd) May 8, 2018

Rooney may find himself increasingly sidelined next season if he stays at Everton, which could prove a factor in any decisions regarding his future. However, wrenching him away from his boyhood club could still prove to be a tough task.

Wayne Rooney has said he spurned the opportunity to earn "a lot of money" in China so that he could maintain his "desire to play" by returning to Everton from Manchester United.

England's all-time top goalscorer ended a 13-year stay at Old Trafford to complete a move back to his roots at Goodison Park and told BBC's Football Focus he didn't want to end his playing days "earning a lot of money" abroad (h/t Press Association's Carl Markham, via MailOnline):

"That's not me, I need those goals, I need that pressure. That desire to play would have been lost if I'd chosen that other option.

"I knew that coming back to Everton was more pressure—that's what I wanted.

"I wanted to prove myself again to the Everton fans and to try to help this club move forward and win silverware."

Rooney went on to say he thought a reunion with the Toffees was the "perfect fit" for him, alluding to staying "two or three years" at Goodison, despite the fact his contract is set to expire at the end of next season.

The 32-year-old has scored 10 times in 22 Premier League appearances for the Toffees this term, and BT Sport Score recently touched upon the boosting effect he has seemed to have on his team:

Everton have now won 5 out of 7 Premier League games under Sam Allardyce when both Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wayne Rooney start the game 🤷‍♂️#BTSportScore pic.twitter.com/PydXDvWD6q

— BT Sport Score (@btsportscore) February 10, 2018

Rooney added: "The one thing which stays is my attitude to playing, my attitude to win, but of course you change and adapt your game and that's what I feel I've done over the last few years. Two years ago, I thought my best position to play was midfield, and that's starting to happen now."

As one of the most marketable names in world football at the height of his powers, Rooney could have commanded eye-watering wages if he made the move to China's Super League last year.

Matt Lawton and Sami Mokbel reported for the Daily Mail in May of last year that at least two clubs had made offers, and he stood to earn £50 million over the course of a two-year stay in the Far East.

Instead, he opted for a move back to Merseyside and took a 50 percent cut on his £300,000-per-week Manchester United salary, per the Daily Mail's Jack Gaughan, which equates to just short of £8 million per year.

Rooney appears to be fulfilling that desire to compete with Everton, too, and Bleacher Report's Matt Jones hailed his influence on a convincing 3-1 win over Crystal Palace at the beginning of February:

Thought that was Rooney's best performance for a while today. Really sensible on the ball, didn't fling himself into tackles. Only really started to get expansive when the game was won

— Matt Jones (@MattJFootball) February 10, 2018

Sam Allardyce's side may not be competing for the Premier League crown or the UEFA Champions League trophy as Rooney frequently did during his days at United, but there's more value to be had than money alone.

His transition to midfield helped extend his career as a Red Devil, and Rooney is now enjoying a renaissance at his boyhood club, which is worth more to the former striker than any retirement plan in a foreign setting.

Manchester City increased their lead over Manchester United at the top of the Premier League to 11 points after beating their local rivals 2-1 in the derby at Old Trafford on Sunday.

City's record-breaking 14th league win in a row came thanks to goals from David Silva and Nicolas Otamendi.

Earlier, Everton skipper Wayne Rooney scored a penalty for his first goal in a Merseyside derby to earn a draw against neighbours Liverpool at Anfield. The Toffees have moved up to 10th, while the Reds are now just a point ahead of Arsenal in the race for a top-four finish.

The day began with Olivier Giroud rescuing a draw for below-par Arsenal at Southampton. A point may have been bittersweet for the Gunners, but it did at least move them above north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Here are the final scores from Sunday's matches:

• Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
• Liverpool 1-1 Everton
• Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City

Here's what those results mean for the standings:

1. Manchester City: 46
2. Manchester United: 35
3. Chelsea: 32
4. Liverpool: 30
5. Arsenal: 29
6. Tottenham Hotspur: 28
7. Burnley: 28
8. Leicester City: 23
9. Watford: 22
10. Everton: 19
11. Southampton: 18
12. Huddersfield Town: 18
13. Brighton & Hove Albion: 17
14. Bournemouth: 16
15. Stoke City: 16
16. Newcastle United: 15
17. West Bromwich Albion: 13
18. West Ham United: 13
19. Swansea City: 12
20. Crystal Palace: 11

Full standings are available, per BBC Sport. 

A goalless first half looked inevitable at Old Trafford until Silva scored two minutes before the break. The league leaders had owned the ball and bossed the tempo, but they often lacked a focal point with striker Sergio Aguero left on the bench.

United hadn't had a shot in anger until first-half stoppage time, when Marcus Rashford slotted in after a defensive mix-up between Otamendi and Fabian Delph.

He may have been gifted his goal, but OptaJoe showed how the 20-year-old is putting together a prolific campaign:

11 – Marcus Rashford has been involved in 11 goals in 12 games in all comps at Old Trafford this season (6 goals, 5 assists), more than any other @ManUtd player. Homely. pic.twitter.com/bsAojasrAv

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 10, 2017

Otamendi restored City's lead eight minutes after the break, following United's own defensive gaffe when Romelu Lukaku smashed a clearance off the back of Chris Smalling.

It proved enough to see off a United side that showed little ambition going forward. Goal's Ben Hayward chided the cautious approach adopted by Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho:

Still have my doubts about José Mourinho at a huge club like Manchester United, where fans expect style as well as results. It was this kind of football in Clásico clashes that upset fans at Real Madrid...#MUFC #ManchesterDerby

— Ben Hayward (@bghayward) December 10, 2017

Everton found themselves overrun early on at Anfield, despite Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp leaving Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino on the bench.

Even without their two flair players in the final third, the Reds pressed the Goodison Park side back and always had the threat of Mane and Salah's pace.

Not surprisingly, it was the latter who opened the scoring two minutes before the break. The goal was a superb example of strength, trickery and shooting power, as the Egypt international brushed aside Cuco Martina before curling a shot into the top corner.

WhoScored.com outlined Salah's awesome influence in attacking areas recently:

Mohamed Salah: Has scored or assisted in 11 of his last 12 outings for Liverpool, contributing 16 goals in the process #LIVEVE

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) December 10, 2017

Liverpool didn't do enough to put the game away in the second half and were punished when Dejan Lovren's foul on Dominic Calvert-Lewin resulted in a penalty. Rooney scored from the spot to draw the Toffees level.

He may not have scored in a Merseyside derby before, but OptaJoe pointed out how much the former Manchester United man loves playing against Everton's local rivals:

5 - Wayne Rooney has scored five goals in his last six Premier League starts against Liverpool. Slotted. pic.twitter.com/DkMBYxYaf2

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 10, 2017

Rooney had Everton primed for a point but was soon sacrificed for centre-back Phil Jagielka, as manager Sam Allardyce sought to roll down the shutters defensively.

His tactic paid off as the Toffees preserved their point and continued their revival on Allardyce's watch. The club has hauled itself out of the bottom three and merits its place in the top 10.

Meanwhile, Liverpool will rue not taking advantage of a weekend when both Arsenal and Chelsea dropped points in the close race to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League.

A sluggish Arsenal went behind in three minutes at St Mary's Stadium to Charlie Austin's smartly taken opener. The game then quickly settled into a pattern of the Gunners trying—and failing—to pass through Saints' well-disciplined defensive block.

It took several tweaks by manager Arsene Wenger to help Arsenal earn a point his side barely deserved. First, the Frenchman switched his team from three at the back to a back four. He then introduced strikers Giroud and Danny Welbeck up top, while Jack Wilshere came off the bench and into midfield.

The Gunners still laboured despite the changes, until two minutes from time when Giroud glanced a cross from Alexis Sanchez just beyond Fraser Forster. It was a deft header, one which drew Arsenal's super-sub level with another frequent scorer from the bench, per BBC Match of the Day:

17- No player has scored more sub goals for a single Premier League team than Olivier Giroud – level with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Man Utd. pic.twitter.com/VCcpau7GsP

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 10, 2017

The France international now only trails one player for goals as a substitute in England's top flight, according to the Telegraph:

Only Jermain Defoe has scored more Premier League goals from the bench than Olivier Giroud https://t.co/0yn68vNqZ6 pic.twitter.com/7Ux4GkbJhF

— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) December 10, 2017

Another late show from Giroud spared some of Arsenal's blushes, but there was no hiding the general lack of quality and assurance in their performance. Top players such as Sanchez struggled to impose themselves, while there were always mistakes in a shaky defence.

Inconsistency at both ends of the pitch is why the Gunners' title hopes are over before Christmas. Even so, Arsenal merit some plaudits for another late comeback.

Persevering to earn results has become a happy habit for a team often questioned for a lack of fight, per OptaJoe:

10 - No team has gained more points from losing positions in the Premier League this season than Arsenal (10 - level with Man City). Character. pic.twitter.com/EPbgrIoSvO

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 10, 2017

Scoring late goals isn't enough to keep Arsenal in a title race now looking increasingly like a stroll, rather than a sprint to the finish, for City.

Manchester City extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to 11 points after a 2-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Mohamed Salah remains the league's top scorer after grabbing his 13th league goal of the season against Everton. However, Liverpool were denied victory as a Wayne Rooney penalty gave Everton a point in a 1-1 draw at Anfield.

Sunday's early kick-off saw Southampton and Arsenal also play out a 1-1 draw at St Mary's Stadium. Charlie Austin put the Saints ahead before substitute Olivier Giroud salvaged the point for Arsenal.

Here's a look at the latest Premier League table and the top flight's leading scorers:

      

Premier League Standings (Goal Difference)

1. Manchester City 46 (37)

2. Manchester United 35 (25)

3. Chelsea 32 (15)

4. Liverpool 30 (14)

5. Arsenal 29 (10)

6. Tottenham Hotspur 28 (14)

7. Burnley 28 (3)

8. Leicester City 23 (1)

9. Watford 22 (-2)

10. Everton 19 (-9)

11. Southampton 18 (-3)

12. Huddersfield Town 18 (-15)

13. Brighton & Hove Albion 17 (-7)

14. Bournemouth 16 (-4)

15. Stoke City 16 (-16)

16. Newcastle United 15 (-9)

17. West Bromwich Albion 13 (-10)

18. West Ham United 13 (-18)

19. Swansea City 12 (-9)

20. Crystal Palace 11 (-17)

              

Premier League Top Scorers

Mohamed Salah, Manchester City, 13 goals

Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur, 12 goals

Alvaro Morata, Chelsea, 9 goals

Sergio Aguero, Manchester City, 9 goals

Raheem Sterling, Manchester City, 9 goals

Romelu Lukaku, Manchester United, 8 goals

Gabriel Jesus, Manchester City, 8 goals

Wayne Rooney, Everton, 8 goals 

Alexandre Lacazette, Arsenal, 8 goals

       

Sunday's Recap

Sunday's biggest game of the day was at Old Trafford, where the Premier League's top two met in the Manchester derby.

Pep Guardiola's league leaders came into the game still unbeaten in the top flight and facing a United side who had won all seven of their home league games this season.

The visitors had the better of a first half that saw few chances until David Silva put City ahead just two minutes before half-time.

United failed to deal with a Kevin De Bruyne corner, and it fell invitingly to Silva, who poked home from close range.

Sports journalist Duncan Castles explained who was to blame for the goal:

Sequence of defensive errors from Lukaku, Lingard and Young at a corner kick result in an unmarked David Silva putting Manchester City ahead. #MUNMCI

— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) December 10, 2017

Yet United hit back within minutes, but again the goal stemmed from a series of mistakes, this time in the City defence. 

Nicolas Otamendi was unable to head clear and then Fabian Delph miscontrolled, allowing Marcus Rashford to pounce on the loose ball and fire past Ederson. 

Journalist Rafael Hernandez said the game suited United manager Jose Mourinho:

One of the worst first halves I’ve ever seen by the home team at Old Trafford, but it’s 1-1 nonetheless. That’s the kind of match Mourinho is looking for, and he’s validated by Rashford’s goal.

— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) December 10, 2017

United began the second half as the brighter side, but they gifted City a goal after Romelu Lukaku's attempted clearance hit Chris Smalling and fell to Otamendi to slot home from close range.

Despite all the quality on show in both teams, all three goals came from mistakes, as noted by football writer Michael Yokhin:

Amateurish defensive mistakes led to all the 3 goals in the Manchester derby so far. Quite remarkable.

— Michael Yokhin (@Yokhin) December 10, 2017

United sent on Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Juan Mata and almost conjured an equaliser late on, only to be denied by a brilliant double save from Ederson.

The win for City looks to be a crucial result in the title race, although it's only December. Guardiola's side have a healthy lead and are huge favourites to be crowned champions in May.

Earlier in the day, Liverpool were left frustrated after being denied victory in the Merseyside derby despite dominating large parts of the game.

Salah scored a superb opener, beating both Cuco Martina and Idrissa Gueye before curling a sweet strike past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Opta showed how prolific he has been this season:

19 – Mohamed Salah has scored 19 goals in 24 apps for Liverpool this season (all comps), as many as he netted for Roma last term in 41 games. Force. pic.twitter.com/JdZA6G7aTy

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 10, 2017

However, Everton hit back from the penalty spot after Dejan Lovren was adjudged to have fouled Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Rooney made no mistake with his spot kick, grabbing his eighth Premier League goal of the season, but his first in a Merseyside derby, per Sky Sports Statto:

.@WayneRooney scores his 1st goal in a Merseyside derby. Rooney has scored 5 goals in his last 6 @premierleague starts against Liverpool pic.twitter.com/nxQM68pQMm

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) December 10, 2017

Liverpool will have been left frustrated by the result after dominating the game, and manager Jurgen Klopp has questions to answer, per sports reporter Ian Abrahams:

Klopp started with Coutinho & Firmino on the bench and took Salah off before the Derby was won. Questions to answer for the Reds boss

— Ian Abrahams (Moose) (@BroadcastMoose) December 10, 2017

The result leaves Liverpool in fourth, but Klopp's decision not to play his strongest side in a derby and yet another poor defensive mistake cost the Reds victory.

Arsenal remain a point behind Liverpool in fifth after coming from behind to draw at Southampton.

Austin took advantage of some slack defending to put Southampton ahead after just three minutes.

Television presenter Jake Humphrey felt Arsenal's defence started very slowly:

5 minutes in and Charlie Austin could have had 3. Arsenal defence totally shambolicso far...

— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) December 10, 2017

The Premier League showed how Austin seems to thrive playing against Arsenal:

📸 Charlie Austin has scored in all three of his #PL appearances against Arsenal 🔥

Southampton 1-0 Arsenal (8 mins)#SOUARS pic.twitter.com/dTVnfIWaua

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 10, 2017

The Gunners did respond, however, but had to wait until the 88th minute to equalise when substitute Giroud headed past goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

Arsenal showed how Giroud loves a late goal:

Olivier Giroud has now scored 10 goals in the 80th minute or later in 2017

Well played, @_OlivierGiroud_ 👏#SFCvAFC pic.twitter.com/S4OCDpFa4I

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 10, 2017

It was another less than impressive display by Arsenal, who again looked disorganised and fragile defensively and were indebted to Giroud to come off the bench and prevent defeat.

Everton forward Wayne Rooney denied Liverpool victory in the Merseyside derby on Sunday, scoring a late equaliser from the penalty spot in a 1-1 draw at Anfield.

Liverpool dominated the game and went ahead late in the first half when Mohamed Salah curled home his 13th Premier League goal of the season.

However, the Reds could not extend their lead and were made to pay late on when Dejan Lovren conceded a penalty that Rooney placed past goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp surprised many with his starting lineup, leaving influential duo Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho on the bench and bringing Dominic Solanke into the attack and James Milner into midfield.

Goal's Melissa Reddy shared the teamsheet:

The full #LFC v #EFC teamsheet from Anfield pic.twitter.com/yjmKVfzXH4

— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) December 10, 2017

Despite the changes, the hosts dominated the first half, with Everton rarely venturing out of their own half.

ESPN FC's Glenn Price highlighted how the visitors offered little as an attacking force:

I'm fairly certain the Main Stand has seen more of the ball than Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the opening 14 minutes.

— Glenn Price (@GlennPrice94) December 10, 2017

However, despite all Liverpool's dominance, they struggled to force goalkeeper Jordan Pickford into action.

Match of the Day's Twitter account gave a neat illustration of the nature of the first half:

Very much a case of attack versus defence.

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has attempted 15 passes; almost double the amount of any other Everton player (8).

Still Liverpool 0-0 Everton.https://t.co/drRlMeLOne pic.twitter.com/pYfu95Zxpe

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 10, 2017

With half-time looming, Liverpool were in need of some inspiration, and it duly arrived in the shape of the Premier League's top scorer.

The Egyptian showed strength to shrug off Cuco Martina before wriggling past Idrissa Gueye and bending his shot around Ashley Williams and goalkeeper Pickford to open the scoring in style.

Liverpool writer Ben Webb explained just how good Salah's strike was:

That Salah goal is all about individual brilliance – movement, strength, composure and incredible technique.

19 goals in all competitions already, and more than on course for 20+ by Christmas.

— Ben Webb (@BenWebbLFC) December 10, 2017

Suddenly Liverpool were rampant, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain flashed a shot just wide before Sadio Mane led a swift counter-attack but dragged his effort wide.

Everton made two changes at the break, bringing on Aaron Lennon and Morgan Schneiderlin as manager Sam Allardyce sought a way back into the match.

However, Salah almost doubled the Reds' lead minutes after the restart, heading Milner's cross just wide at the far post.

The Egyptian was giving Martina torrid time at left-back because of his pace and skill on the ball. Tony Scott at the Liverpool Echo summed up the Everton man's performance:

Martina is Liverpool’s best player.

— Tony Scott (@Tony_Scott11) December 10, 2017

Martina will have been relieved to see Salah replaced just after the hour mark, with Firmino coming on his place. But although Liverpool continued to dominate, they could not extend their lead.

They Reds were then made to pay for their profligacy with 15 minutes to go, when Lovren pushed Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the area to concede a penalty.

Up stepped Rooney, who hit the penalty straight down the middle to level the scores.

ESPN FC's Liam Twomey was critical of Lovren's defending:

What a ridiculous decision... from Lovren. Utterly brainless defending

— Liam Twomey (@liam_twomey) December 10, 2017

Football writer Daniel Harris said the blame lay elsewhere:

https://twitter.com/DanielHarris/status/939885485161435137

Klopp sent on Coutinho and Danny Ings in response, and the Reds piled on the pressure in the closing stages but could not find a way through.

Although Liverpool still picked up a point, they will be hugely disappointed not to have won a game they dominated. But their vulnerable defence once again cost them points.

Wayne Rooney completed a hat-trick with a stunning strike from inside his own half as Everton thrashed West Ham United 4-0 at Goodison Park on Wednesday in the Premier League.

Manchester City maintained their eight-point lead at the top of the table thanks to Raheem Sterling's stoppage-time winner in a 2-1 victory at home to Southampton.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah netted his 11th and 12th league goals of the season as Liverpool won 3-0 at Stoke City, and Arsenal thrashed Huddersfield Town 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

Here are Wednesday's Premier League results in full:

     

Arsenal 5-0 Huddersfield Town

Bournemouth 1-2 Burnley 

Chelsea 1-0 Swansea City

Everton 4-0 West Ham United 

Manchester City 2-1 Southampton 

Stoke City 0-3 Liverpool 

      

Here is the latest goalscoring chart with Salah having extended his lead at the top:

     

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), 12 goals 

Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), 10 

Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), 9

Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), 9

Alvaro Morata (Chelsea), 8 

Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United), 8

Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), 8

Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal), 7

Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), 7

Wayne Rooney (Everton), 7 

     

The Premier League provided the latest standings after Week 14's action:

Late drama means @ManCity's gap is back to 8️⃣ points#PL pic.twitter.com/WMvSjE2Jqp

— Premier League (@premierleague) November 29, 2017

      

Following the announcement of Sam Allardyce's imminent appointment as manager, Everton produced their best performance of the season against a sorry West Ham side to move up to 13th in the Premier League table.

Rooney opened the scoring as he headed home the rebound having seen former England colleague Joe Hart save his 18th-minute penalty.

He then doubled the Toffees' lead 10 minutes later, turning home after an excellent move, before netting one of the goals of his career to complete his treble in the 66th minute.

Rooney latched on perfectly to Hart's scrambled clearance and guided a swirling half-volley more than half the length of the pitch and into an empty net.

Per Opta, the 32-year-old had waited a long time to improve his hat-trick tally:

2272 - Wayne Rooney’s hat-trick tonight came 2272 days since his last (10th September 2011) – the longest gap between two hat-tricks by a player in @premierleague history. Screamer. pic.twitter.com/14u3GGP4GD

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 29, 2017

Ashley Williams added the fourth from a corner with 12 minutes remaining to add polish to a morale-boosting performance for Everton, while West Ham manager David Moyes endured a torrid return to his former club.

City looked set to drop their first points since August until Sterling curled home a 96th-minute winner, not the first crucial goal the England international has scored for the Sky Blues this term, per The Independent's Jack Pitt-Brooke:

Raheem Sterling this season:

⚽️ 82nd minute equaliser v Everton
⚽️ 96th minute winner v Bournemouth
⚽️ 88th minute winner v Feyenoord
⚽️ 84th minute winner v Huddersfield
⚽️ 96th minute winner v Southampton

— Jack Pitt-Brooke (@JackPittBrooke) November 29, 2017

City had gone ahead through Kevin De Bruyne's free-kick, which deflected in off Saints defender Virgil van Dijk, in the 47th minute before Oriol Romeu swept home an equaliser 15 minutes from time.

Liverpool's night was made much more comfortable after Salah came off the bench to score twice in the final 13 minutes against Stoke.

Sadio Mane had put Liverpool ahead in the 17th minute, but Reds No. 1 Simon Mignolet was fortunate to stay on the pitch when he fouled Mame Biram Diouf, per the Liverpool Echo's James Pearce:

HT: Stoke 0 #LFC 1: Mane's goal the difference. Stoke fans chanting 'cheat' at Martin Atkinson. Mignolet escapes with a yellow when it probably should have been red.

— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) November 29, 2017

The most convincing performance of the night came from Arsenal as they crushed Huddersfield with goals from Alexandre Lacazette, Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and an Olivier Giroud double.

Meanwhile, Chelsea beat Swansea City 1-0 thanks to Antonio Rudiger's second-half header—it would have been a rout if not for Lukasz Fabianski—and Burnley moved into sixth after holding on to beat Bournemouth 2-1.