Two opportunist strikes from Everton youngster Leon Osman helped Everton forget their Rooney blues with a 2-1 over West Bromwich Albion at Goodison Park.
Two goals inside the first five minutes set the tone for an entertaining and combative 90 minutes, with the Blues netting a deserved first home win of the season with a second-half clincher.
With the pre-match focus dedicated to Wayne Rooney's football future and off-field antics, plus endless talk of takeovers, Everton boss David Moyes was happy to be back in the dugout.
Despite returning to training, Rooney wasn't fit enough to return to action, fuelling speculation he had played his last game for the club. A chant of: "Stand-up if you hate Rooney," hit a crescendo around Goodison in the second period.
Moyes made one change to the team who demolished Crystal Palace last week with Alessandro Pistone coming in for the suspended Gary Naysmith.
Albion had kicked off their return to the top flight with three 1-1 draws and boss Gary Megson was looking to claim his first win of the season against the crisis-hit Merseysiders.
Everton started brightly took the lead within two minutes when Academy graduate Osman rose at the back post to nod home Thomas Gravesen's long throw.
Albion could have been level on the five-minute mark after a fine cross from Jonathan Greening found Andy Johnson whose back-heel was deflected over the bar.
They were indeed level after seven minutes as a delighted Scott Dobie powered a header past Nigel Martyn.
Both teams' attacking threat came solely from the air in this see-saw encounter with Joseph Yobo's header stopped well by Russell Hoult.
Everton broke clear through Kevin Campbell as Albion were caught defending too highly, but the chance was snuffed out when the former Arsenal striker delayed his shot.
Albion were forced to make a change when Thomas Gaardsoe was stretchered off with a leg injury.
Everton took control in the latter stages of the half with yet another fine cross from Gravesen finding the head of Marcus Bent who should have done better.
Bent was again on the end of a well-placed cross, straight after the break this time from Osman, but he delivered another poor header straight into the grateful arms of Hoult.
Everton continued to dominate as Gravesen stung Hoult's fingertips with a fine 20-yard drive.
Goodison cult-hero Duncan Ferguson entered the fray in place of Campbell to a rapturous ovation from the fans.
Within ten minutes Everton had a deserved lead with Osman on target again, deflecting the inspirational Gravesen's free-kick past a helpless Hoult.
Kanu had a decent chance to bring the Baggies level, but his shot landed comfortably at the feet of Martyn as the Blues held on for their second win of the season.
Everton look set to embark on a new post-Rooney era with money to spend before the transfer deadline.
After a summer of turmoil at the club, predictions of a dire struggle against relegation may be wide of the mark for Moyes' spirited troops.