Gylfi Sigurdsson says Everton’s excitement over this weekend’s Merseyside derby has heightened following Tuesday’s convincing success against Cardiff City.

Icelander Sigurdsson scored his 10th and 11th Premier League goals of the campaign to put Everton firmly in control in south Wales before a stylish finish from Dominic Calvert-Lewin completed a 3-0 victory.

Marco Silva’s side jumped two places to ninth following their midweek win and will aim to close the gap on the teams immediately ahead of them by beating Liverpool and securing successive league victories.

Sigurdsson insists advancing up the table is Everton’s overriding priority right now – but the 29-year-old admits he cannot wait to experience his first Goodison Park derby.

Asked to describe his emotions heading into the fixture, Sigurdsson said: “It is excitement of really looking forward to the game, especially after a good result and good performance like we had at Cardiff. 

“This is the match you really look forward to at the start of the season.

“It will be a fantastic game and hopefully we can put in a good performance, get a good result and [if we do] things are looking good.

“As soon as we scored against Cardiff, we kind of took control of the game. After scoring that second goal, you could see us playing better football, with better movement and a bit more freedom. I thought we really enjoyed the second half.

“The fans will be over the moon if we get a good result on Sunday. And in this league, if you put a proper run of results together, you climb the table quite quickly.

"That is what we are trying to do.”

Sigurdsson has played in three all-Merseyside games since joining from Swansea City in August 2017 but missed out on last season’s home scoreless draw with the knee injury which prematurely finished his campaign.

The midfielder was on target in Everton’s FA Cup third round game at Anfield last term – one of four goals against Liverpool in his career – and is leading the way in the Blues’ scoring charts with 12 in all competitions this season.

Sigurdsson nevertheless concedes Everton’s inconsistency of late is a source of frustration – and an issue they are determined to address in the campaign’s closing months.

Manager Silva's team play away at Newcastle United and West Ham United either side of a Goodison clash with Chelsea before the end of March.

“We have started well in a lot of games but then one counter-attack and we've been a goal down,” said Sigurdsson.

“It’s been very frustrating but, through it all, the whole squad and the staff have been working very well, working hard.

“With the ability we have, with the manager and everything, we are disappointed with where we are at the moment. 

“But if you put some results together you do climb the league so quickly. So that is what we are looking at – we are trying to look up the table and be positive about the situation and finish the season strongly.

“On Sunday, we have to put in a good performance, work hard and hopefully take care of the chances we get.

“There is no feeling better than scoring in a derby, especially in front of the Everton fans. You could see them all coming down towards me and that is why you are in football.

“Scoring and the feeling after is something you cannot explain.”