The last time Cristiano Ronaldo visited Everton's home stadium, Goodison Park, in April, the Portuguese superstar didn't exactly cover himself in glory. 

Footage emerged of him appearing to smash the phone out of a young fan's hands following Manchester United's disappointing defeat. Merseyside Police then launched an investigation and the 37-year-old was interviewed in relation to an allegation of assault and criminal damage. 

This time around, however, Ronaldo managed to turn his uncontainable fury into a force for good on his eagerly anticipated return. Despite being excluded from the starting line-up against the Toffees on Sunday night, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner made his entrance on the half-hour mark to replace the injured Anthony Martial and duly took his chance by slotting in a brilliant winner at the near post. 

The golden goal represented a much-needed salvation for both United and Ronaldo. Erik ten Hag's side were able to recover from the humiliating Manchester derby defeat last weekend, while the iconic striker reached another landmark in his trophy-laden career by netting his 700th club goal. 

In doing so, Ronaldo becomes the first footballer in history to score that many goals at club level. The goal took his tally to 144 for the Red Devils across his two spells at the club. He plundered in 450 goals for Real Madrid, 101 for Juventus and five for Sporting Lisbon. 

"That is really impressive, when you score 700 goals, it's a huge performance," said Ten Hag, who has mostly used Ronaldo from the bench this season. "I'm really happy for him, I congratulate him on that performance and I'm also happy it's his first goal this season in the Premier League – he had to wait for it and I'm sure there will be more goals." 

"Every player needs it, even when you are the best in the world," he added. "I worked with many goalscorers and they need the goals in every season to have that feeling, that confirmation of the intuition. Once they have some goals, they come in a flow and games go easier. That will happen with him as well."

Everton boss Frank Lampard was also in awe of Ronaldo's latest stunning achievement. "It is outstanding. He is one of the greatest players that has graced the game in an era when we have had himself and Messi," he beamed.  

"The comparison doesn't matter, they are both incredible players in football history. The numbers they have racked up... abnormal numbers that have become normal. When he was on 699, I wanted him to score in the Europa League the other night. But in the cold light of day you have to give him credit. It is amazing." 

Ronaldo is no stranger to making history. Last year, he became all-time leading goalscorer in men's international football after scoring twice against the Republic of Ireland in Portugal's European qualifier. He has scored a world record 117 goals in 191 international games since making his Portugal debut in 2003.

At club level, Ronaldo is also the all-time top scorer in the Champions League with 140 goals, while Messi (127) is the only other player to surpass 100 goals. 

Ronaldo could undoubtedly feel that the Argentine playmaker is on his heels. The 35-year-old Messi has regained his top form this season by notching seven goals in 12 games for Paris St-Germain and is just nine behind his Portuguese nemesis in total club goals scored.  

While both are firmly in the autumn of their illustrious careers, the Messi–Ronaldo rivalry is far from over.