Rooney gives Everton fans the blues

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Despite being a life-long Everton fan, Rooney has never been forgiven by the Toffees supporters for abandoning their club in favour of Manchester United in 2004, and since then, every time he has appeared against the Merseysiders, he has been subjected to fearful abuse.

"Of course, it is extra special to beat my old team," he said. "There is a bit of banter between myself and the Everton fans. Sometimes I come out on top, sometimes they do. But the most important thing is that we got the three points."

Rooney did sail close to the wind at times, picking up an early booking for a lunge on Everton goalscorer Tim Cahill and then expressing his frustrations to referee Howard Webb in no uncertain manner when he believed Lee Carsley had aimed a stamp at him as the pair duelled at a drop-ball.

The 22-year-old also went close on a couple of occasions, skimming the bar with one second-half effort.

But in the end, Rooney was forced to rely on Ronaldo's nerveless late spot-kick - his 16th goal of the season - after Steven Pienaar had inexplicably tripped Ryan Giggs.

"I watched Cristiano practice penalties in training on Saturday and he put every one in exactly the same place. That is why he practices," said Rooney. "His first goal was a great strike. We all know what he can do, so there is no surprise there."

The win for Sir Alex Ferguson's men, which ended Everton's 13-match unbeaten run and at the same time extended United's winning streak on home soil to nine matches, allowed them to close to within a point of Barclays Premier League leaders Arsenal.

United will go top - even if it is only for a couple of hours - if they beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Boxing Day, although Rooney acknowledges Roy Keane's men are not the easiest team to beat on Wearside.

"We always have hard games at Sunderland," he said. "Their fans are good and always get right behind the team, which makes it difficult for us. They are at the wrong end of the table, so they will be fighting hard to get some points."