Everton striker Wayne Rooney has described scoring the match winner on his return to the club as "a special moment".

Having sealed a return to his boyhood club from Manchester United over the summer, the 31-year-old made his first Premier League start for the Toffees in 13 years today as they welcomed Stoke City for their season opener.

It proved to be dream return to Goodison Park for Rooney as, on the stroke of half time, he headed in the only goal of the game to secure all three points for Ronald Koeman's side.

"On a personal level scoring the winning goal at Goodison Park is a special moment. It doesn't get much better," Rooney told reporters afterwards.

"To play for this club is a huge deal for me. The early games in the season are always tough because you are always finding your rhythm in games.

"We've got some tough games coming up so it's important we got off to a good start."

Next up for Everton is a home tie with Hajduk Split in the first leg of their Europa League playoff on Thursday night ahead of a trip to Manchester City in the league on August 21.