The 17-year-old made his first start of the campaign and judging by his performa

The 17-year-old made his first start of the campaign and judging by his performance against Fulham, defenders won't have it any easier than they did last season

LION OF THE WEEKEND - WAYNE ROONEY

"Sharp and elusive" - Everton manager David Moyes

"Instigated Everton's second goal with exquisite touch and vision" - Telegraph

"It was only when he tired that Fulham were allowed into the match" - Mail On Sunday

If this is Wayne Rooney at 80% fitness, Premiership defenders won't like the thought of facing him at full pelt.

David Moyes picked the 17-year-old Goodison Park idol against Fulham admitting "it would give the whole place a lift" - despite concern over Rooney's ankle injury sustained in pre-season against Rangers.

The boy didn't let anyone down, setting up two of Everton's three goals before half-time.

Once again, it was the range of Rooney's repertoire in a 3-1 Everton win that impressed. He slipped a pass through the eye of a needle to Gary Naysmith to start the move which led to Everton's second goal.

Then, he showed brilliant control and awareness to round Edwin Van der Sar before setting up Steve Watson on a plate.

He also tested the Dutch goalkeeper's reach with an attempted lob early in the second half and by the time he was replaced after 74 minutes, Goodison Park was ready to give him a standing ovation.

And things can only get better promises Moyes. "He still isn't at the level we know he is capable of, because the injury has affected his training and match time," said the Everton manager.

It will be worth the wait.

LION OF THE WEEKEND - WEEKLY AWARDS
David Beckham 1
Jermain Defoe 1
Frank Lampard 1
Wayne Rooney 1

By Joe Bernstein

TheFA.com will announce their Lion of the Weekend every Monday. A Lion of the Season award will be announced in May based on the number of weekly nominations