Back at the scene where Merseyside police had investigated a phone-smashing incident, there was additional evidence Cristiano Ronaldo had been at Goodison Park.
Downgraded to a substitute again, Ronaldo pounded the touchline turf as early as the 15th minute, heckled by a few Scousers on his return to Everton, where he was last filmed smashing a fan's phone. One day before his deadline to respond to the Football Association's needless charge, Ronaldo smashed a record.
The 37-year-old's 44th-minute strike was his 700th club goal and second at a ground he last registered at aged 20 in February 2005. It is that longevity that sets Ronaldo apart from the game's mortals.
