Everton ace Wayne Rooney passed midfield test as he excelled playing from deep during win over Brighton

The final image of the afternoon suggested it had been one of those days, the kind his critics believe are becoming commonplace.

There was Wayne Rooney shaking his head, hands on hips.

It was the 90th minute and Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan had just beaten away his penalty.

Everton ace Wayne Rooney ended Saturday's game against Brighton with his hands on his hipsRooney's final involvement in the 2-0 win was to hit a penalty which was saved by the keeperWhen Rooney's doubters consider him now, they imagine a player consumed by frustration that he cannot produce those hard-running, buccaneering centre forward displays that used to be 10 a penny.

That snapshot is at odds, though, with everything…