Willie Kirk saluted his Everton team’s “courage and character” after they beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield on Sunday.

Captain Lucy Graham was Everton’s match-winner – the Scotland international’s long-range effort in first-half stoppage time proving the difference between the sides.

The victory means Everton have won four of their opening six WSL matches this season and move up to fourth in the WSL table.

The match was the first women’s Merseyside derby to be played at Anfield, with more than 23,500 supporters – including a vocal following of Evertonians - in attendance.

The contest was part of the inaugural Women’s Football Weekend, which will be an annual event to celebrate the growth of the women’s game.

Kirk praised the resolve his players showed to dig deep and secure maximum points in the face of mounting Liverpool pressure in the second half.

“It was a fantastic occasion, to have more than 23,500 supporters at Anfield is exceptional,” he said.

“If someone told me we’d be playing in front of these crowds a few years ago, I would never believe it.

“To be a part of that is special.

“There were so many emotions coming into the match and under the circumstances the players have done really well and showed great character to get the 1-0 victory and handle those nerves.

“We’ve just beat a very good team in Liverpool.

“We couldn’t get into any flow in the first half, the second half was a little bit better. I’ve praised the players for the courage and character to improve as the game went on.

“We had to improve in the second half and we did. We obviously had a lot of attacking moments, but ultimately we had to defend our lead for 45 minutes.

“I thought the players dug in and showed tremendous resilience to protect the lead.”

Graham’s Kop end strike represented her second Everton goal since joining the Blues from Bristol City in the summer.

Kirk explained the goal was a just reward for the Everton skipper after another high-octane midfield performance.

“Lucy is a leader by action and words, the way she conducts herself on and off the pitch is everything you want from a captain,” Kirk added.

“I asked her before the game to provide more of a goal threat for this team. I pushed her to shoot when she got the chance today and she did.

“She scored a similar goal against us for Bristol last season – this time Liverpool were on the receiving end.”

Everton were indebted to goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela midway through the first half – the Finnish goalkeeper making a spectacular one-handed save to keep out Kirsty Linnett’s close-range header.

Kirk says the goalkeeper, another summer signing, has made a significant impact since joining the Toffees from Norwegian outfit Valerenga.

“She has been outstanding since she has come into the team,” Kirk said.

“She has given the back four confidence with her huge presence in goal.

“When she was called upon today, she made some outstanding saves.”