• Premier League

Rooney scores from halfway line in front of Beckham

ESPN staff
March 22, 2014
Wayne Rooney spotted West Ham goalkeeper Adrian off his line © Getty Images
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Wayne Rooney scored a spectacular volley from the halfway line to give Manchester United the lead against West Ham - emulating David Beckham's own memorable effort in front of the watching former England captain.

Rooney then added a second at Upton Park to overtake Jack Rowley and become United's third highest scorer of all time with 212 goals, behind Denis Law (237) and Sir Bobby Charlton (249). United won the match 2-0 and remain seventh in the Premier League.

Beckham was at Upton Park as a guest and was caught on camera laughing after Rooney's outrageous volleyed effort caught out West Ham goalkeeper Adrian.

Rooney struck in the eighth minute from an almost identical spot as Beckham did in August 1996 with a long-range shot that looped over Neil Sullivan in the Wimbledon goal.

The goal was also met with astonished delight by manager David Moyes, who is hoping to alleviate some of the pressure on his own position with victory against West Ham before Tuesday night's Manchester derby against City at Old Trafford.

Rooney then doubled United's lead just past the half-hour mark in fortuitous fashion, with Mark Noble's clearance from Ashley Young's low cross rebounding into the net off his shin.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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