Karen Holmgaard expressed her delight with her return to fitness after the Dane scored Everton's second in the Blues' 2-0 victory over Liverpool.

The midfielder's goal was her second from her past three, after recovering from a long-term injury that had kept her sidelined for 10 months.

She said: “I am really, really happy and enjoying playing football. I am glad and proud of myself. I am enjoying being back.

“I was buzzing. It is so nice to win a derby like that. We were not playing that well, but a win is a win. We defended really well as a team and scored two goals – that is the main part. Going home from Anfield with the three points is an amazing feeling. We are all really, really happy.

“I have said many times, Merseyside is blue. It always will be on the Women’s side. It feels even better to win today because it was not our best performance. We showed that we can defend and finish off our chances when needed.”

Holmgaard made her return to action in February, coming off the bench against Chelsea to make her first appearance of the season.

The Dane hit the ground running, helping her side to an impressive 1-1 draw against Manchester City at the Joie Stadium, before securing the bragging rights at Anfield.

“That felt incredible. The fans are always there supporting us. Home and away, they are always there. That means so much to us as a team, so why not celebrate my goal with them? They are a big part of Everton and they deserve the derby day win,” commented Holmgaard.

With the final game of the season upon us, the midfielder has her sights on the upcoming European Championships. Her native nation enjoyed a successful qualifying campaign and have been drawn in a group alongside Germany, Poland and Sweden.

“My goal is to play at the upcoming European Championships. If I am not selected, I am not selected,” added Holmgaard.

“If so, I will have a good summer and concentrate on having a really good pre-season here and then hopefully transfer that and have a good season. I want to show the real Karen after being out for so long. The most important thing is to be ready for next season.”

Katja Snoeijs reminisced on her “special” Goodison memories ahead of the final fixture at the Grand Old Lady.

Snoeijs scored the winner in the most recent women’s fixture to be held at the historic venue, as Brian Sorensen’s side defeated Liverpool 1-0.

The forward replicated her derby day delight earlier this month, netting the opener as the Toffees completed the double over their neighbours with a 2-0 win at Anfield.

Reflecting on the 1-0 win against Matt Beard’s side in November, she said: “It was really special, mainly because it was the goal that got us the win at Goodison against Liverpool. It was my first derby goal as well, for it to be at Goodison was extra special.

“It is always a special feeling when you are walking down the tunnel in to Goodison Park. The atmosphere is always great there, it hypes you up when you walk out and you hear the sirens. The feeling is indescribable, but it makes you so excited for the game ahead.”

Snoeijs has fully immersed herself in the culture at Everton, attending a host of David Moyes’ side’s fixtures whilst being a prominent figure for Everton in the Community.

“Since I signed, I have been there multiple times to watch the men,” commented Snoeijs.

“The games were special. It is different to football games in the Netherlands – over there, there are one or two stands that are really loud and where the atmosphere is. But here, every stand in Goodison is always full and so loud. The fans are so close to the pitch, too. I think it is a special experience.”

The Netherlands international’s strike against Liverpool was her seventh goal involvement of the season, with her performances in the number ten role helping fellow forwards Kelly Gago and Toni Payne find form.

“Everton feels like family. It really feels like home. From everyone on the ground: the players, the staff; I think it is a place where I can fully be myself. That is what you need as a player: to really feel like ‘I want to come to the training ground and I want to be surrounded by the people here’. That is the case,” added Snoeijs.

“It is really important. It is sometimes hard in a team environment because we are all individuals who want to perform and get the best out of our own career. In the end, we are a team. We have showed this season that it is not the starting XI that decides the game, we need every single person, even the ones that are not playing as much. That is what makes the team better and is a really positive thing that we have in our team. No matter what is going on and the noise around us, we always stick together. That is really enjoyable to be a part of."