Despite having to settle for a 0-0 draw last time out in the Premier League, the vibes are still at an all-time high at Everton.
After all, on another day, the Toffees would have picked up another victory in that unfortunate stalemate versus Aston Villa, with David Moyes and Co. somehow squandering 20 efforts in total across the course of the frustrating clash.
With Everton sitting in a pretty sixth position at the moment, Moyes will be hopeful that the glory days of his previous long reign as boss are back to stay, with the much-loved Scotsman once consistently steering the Merseyside outfit to top-half finishes.
No relegation worries seem to be seeping in, with the former West Ham United boss-turned-returning Toffees manager even possessing his next Wayne Rooney now, arguably, to ramp up the nostalgia even more.
Rooney's heroics at Everton
Much like Moyes, Rooney would also return to Merseyside in 2017.
The celebrated attacker had gone on to Manchester United in 2004 and won trophies galore, with a sublime tally of 253 goals and 142 assists coming his way. Safe to say, Rooney was correct to originally leave his hometown club behind, even if it was so early into his fledgling career.
He still showed he could turn on the style on his return, too, with this memorable effort against West Ham United, sending the Goodison Park masses into raptures.
Across the full 40 games on his return, there were no signs that his legs had gone, which might well have been a worry so deep into his esteemed playing days, with 13 goal contributions notched up in total, making it a special reunion for the magical forward.
Amazingly, despite Rooney being such an enigmatic, one-off presence on the pitch, Moyes might well feel he has his next coming of the entertaining great at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, even so early into life in their brand-new home.
Everton's new "game changer"
Everton fans will be far happier going to watch their team now than the gloom and doom tenure of Sean Dyche, with the attractive football being served up.
Indeed, away from firing blanks against the Villans last time out and Leeds United on the opening day, the Toffees have managed to bag an electric five goals from their other clashes this season, with Jack Grealish often at the heart of a vibrant attacking move working out.
Many would have surely anticipated that this move for Grealish to leave Manchester City for pastures new on Merseyside would pay off, with the former Villa midfielder a star on the same level as Rooney’s excellence when on top form.
But, nobody would have quite expected how easy the 30-year-old would find it to instantly hit the ground running in the manner he has.
From just five games under Moyes’ wing, Grealish already has a blistering four assists next to his name, with his split-second ability to carve out an opening or excite the Toffees contingent with an effort of his own making him a Rooney-like presence already.
Aston Villa
96
15 + 22
Manchester City
94
12 + 11
Everton
4
0 + 4
To further validate the comparison point, it’s clear that Grealish – much like his revered counterpart – needed a switch like the one he sealed to Everton to get his waning career back on track, with the three-time Premier League winner losing his way somewhat in Manchester.
Similarly, it was clear from Rooney’s final few seasons at Old Trafford that he wasn’t the spritely star he once was, with rampant injuries often getting the better of him.
But, as is clear now with the two mavericks in question, form might be temporary, but class is permanent.
Grealish’s class has been so prominent so far at Everton that he has even been hailed as a “game changer” for his standout efforts by analyst Matt Smith.
Amazingly, this resurrection of the skilful Englishman might well stand him in good stead to be remembered as an all-time great in the Premier League, alongside Rooney, with the Toffees faithful already heralding him as an icon in the here and now, that’s for sure.
