SPORTS

Rooney ends goal drought and inches closer to EPL goal record

January 03, 2016 19:08 IST

IMAGE: Manchester United's Wayne Rooney celebrates after scoring the second goal against Swansea during their English Premier League match at Old Trafford on Sunday. Photograph: Andrew Yates/Livepic/Reuters

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney rose to second place on the all-time Premier League scoring list with a clever winner against Swansea City on Saturday.

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The England captain ended a run of 553 minutes without a goal for his club by deftly flicking in Anthony Martial's cross 13 minutes from time to secure a 2-1 triumph that ended a run of six league games without a victory for Louis van Gaal's side.

Rooney climbed above former United forward Andy Cole with 188 goals following his instinctive finish, behind only Alan Shearer who netted 260 times for Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.

He also eclipsed Denis Law's record of 237 United goals to move within 11 of Bobby Charlton's all-time mark for the Old Trafford club.

"Special congrats to @WayneRooney for becoming the second highest scorer in @premierleague history. What a record," United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger said on Twitter.

Schweinsteiger also lavished praise on his teammate, describing Rooney's goal as 'unbelievable' and said that although the England international unfortunately couldn't score during a goalless draw against Chelsea, he would be happy with his performance he had showcased against Swansea, according to Sport24.

Rooney, 30, scored his 50th goal for England last year to surpass Charlton's international record.

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