There was a high-five from Ronald Koeman and a standing ovation from the away section, who chanted his name in appreciation.

But, above all, there was another goal and that is what mattered to Wayne Rooney, whose return to Everton continues to gather momentum. He started slowly, out on the left against Genk, but by the time Koeman ended his afternoon on 73 minutes, the impression was resoundingly positive.

It is, of course, dangerous to make predictions at this time of year but little things jumped out here in Belgium – as they did in Holland on Wednesday night – that suggest Rooney is rejuvenated, settled and ready to be a key performer for Everton.

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Wayne Rooney celebrates after scoring for Everton in their 1-1 draw with Belgian side Genk

Rooney slotted the ball home as he lost his balance to give Everton a temporary lead

Rooney is congratulated by fellow new signing Sandro Ramirez after hitting the back of the net

MATCH FACTS Genk: Jackers, Nastic, Brabec, Colley, Khammas, Berge, Malinovskyi, Trossard, Buffel, Benson, Samatta. Subs: Coucke, Lenaerts, Wouters, Zhegrova, Naranjo, Vanzeir, Sabak, Schrijvers, Seigers, Heynen. Goals: Samata 55 Everton: Pickford, Schneiderlin, Baines, Keane, Williams, Ramirez, Rooney, Gueye, Klaassen, Dowel, Holgate. Subs: Joel, Stekelenburg, Lennon, Davies, Connolly, Calvert-Lewin, Mirallas, Kenny, McCarthy, Barry, Besic, Lookman, Martina. Goals: Rooney 45 Advertisement

Romelu Lukaku’s goals have gone and it would be risible to suggest Rooney is a direct replacement for the Belgium international, who made the opposite journey to Manchester United, but the 31-year-old has other qualities that, possibly, will make Everton stronger in the long run.

‘Everyone knows Romelu scored a lot of goals for us,’ said Kevin Mirallas. ‘He was so important in the last four seasons. But we’ve added a lot of players who have the possibility to score 10 or 15 goals. If five or six players score 10 goals, that is better than one Romelu.

‘That is important. He has gone to United; that is life. I think Everton is better. It is always good when you play with good players – and Wayne is fantastic. Everyone knows him. He came back here because he wants to help Everton. It was the best move for him, for his family, for everyone.’

Everton’s campaign, however, kicks into gear on Thursday when they face Slovakian minnows Ruzomberok in the Europa League and it was clear to see Koeman’s squad, who spent the last week training twice a day at a retreat in the Netherlands, will not be undercooked at Goodison Park.

Rooney was greeted by a Manchester United fan upon arrival back in the UK, keen for a photo

The rejuvenated obliged and happily posed for a snap with the young supporter

Aaron Lennon and Leighton Baines make their way back with their suitcases after landing

Manager Ronald Koeman and Duncan Ferguson sported their club tracksuits upon landing

Davy Klaassen (left) was also impressive for Everton, rarely wasting a pass in midfield

Genk huffed and puffed and had a couple of dangerous moments in the opening stages, not least when striker Leandro Trossard skipped into the area and dragged a shot wide, but Everton’s defenders were unflappable, in particular Michael Keane.

Another new boy to catch the eye was Davy Klaassen, the Dutch midfielder rarely wasting a pass and always looking comfortable when the ball arrived at his feet. Stepping into the Premier League poses a new challenge for the former Ajax captain but he won’t fail for a lack of technical ability.

Klaassen is one of seven new faces to arrive this summer – another two, at least, are expected – but the headline grabbing addition has been Rooney and having scored on his second debut in Tanzania 10 days ago, he delighted those who had travelled from Merseyside with another.

It happened in a flash, with Kieran Dowell ushering Sandro Ramirez forward and he wasted no time in whipping in a cross that fizzed across the face of goal and found Rooney, who arrived at the back post to turn his effort from eight yards. He was instantly swamped by his team-mates.

Rooney made it look simple but replays showed it was far from straight forward, as he had to stretch and strain to divert the ball back from where it came to wrong-foot goalkeeper Nordin Jackers.

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford celebrates as he watches Rooney score the equaliser

Ramirez instructs his players to push up ahead of his competitive debut on Thursday

Everton's Idrissa Gueye wins the ball in midfield as he keeps his side in control of the game

Rooney goes in search of a second goal during the friendly fixture

‘You could see it was a difficult game for him to start off but then, there it was – one chance, one goal,’ Mirallas explained. ‘You need a player who can do that.’

There could have been another in the 63rd minute but his audacious chip after Dowell’s excellent ball was athletically tipped over by Janckers. By that time, Everton had been pegged back with Ally Samatta punishing an error by Cuco Martina.

A draw was fair but the result was inconsequential. What mattered was the performance of the man who will lead the line on Thursday evening. On this evidence, it would take a brave man to bet against Rooney scoring again.