Willie Kirk paid tribute to Everton's "intensity and purpose" after the Blues trounced Bristol City 5-0 to cruise through to the quarter-finals of the Women’s FA Cup.

The manager was full of praise for the performance Everton put on in front of a crowd of almost 2,000 at Ashton Gate.

The victory was the Toffees' biggest since Kirk took charge of the Club in December 2018.

“I thought we played with real intensity and purpose and our work-rate was excellent,” said the manager.

SECURE TICKETS TO EVERTON WOMEN'S FIRST GAME AT THEIR NEW WALTON HALL PARK HOME AGAINST MANCHESTER UNITED THIS SUNDAY

“Playing on a big pitch really suited us because we have quick, mobile players – especially in the front areas. It’s a great arena for football and hopefully we treated the fans to some good stuff.

“I thought we deserved the win, deserved our goals and deserved a clean sheet because we worked really hard, even when we were well ahead.”

A first-half double from skipper Lucy Graham and an Esme Morgan header gave Everton a 3-0 lead at the interval, and they added further goals after the break through Inessa Kaagman and a spectacular Hannah Cain volley.

“For me the second half was really important because we were 3-0 up at half-time, but we still remained professional,” said Kirk.

“We spoke at half-time about winning the second half as well because we knew we had let a two-goal lead slip against Tottenham recently and we were determined we weren’t going to let something like that happen again.

“I was delighted with the victory and the fact we scored five goals as well made it look really good.”

Kirk was pleased to see Cain bag the goal of the game to finish off the scoring and added: “She has been working so hard to get a goal and I was delighted for her because I thought she worked her backside off. She was playing in a slightly different position – out a bit wider than usual – and it was good to see her get her reward.

“The most important thing was to get through to the last eight. We said on the first day of pre-season that we wanted to get to Wembley, and we’ve taken another step towards it.”

Everton will now host Chelsea in the quarter-finals and Kirk added: “I’m quite happy with that draw because if you are going to get to Wembley and win some silverware then you have to beat the big teams at some stage. The players are buzzing for it.

“From my experience, particularly in Scotland, I’ve found it easier to beat the so-called favourites in the earlier rounds rather than the final.

“It will mean we will have back-to-back home games against Chelsea, and it’s strange how often football throws up that sort of situation.

“But it will be a difficult tie for both teams because it comes just after the international break, which means you only get a few days to prepare.”

The only sour note of the evening for the Blues was an early injury to defender Gabby George, who was stretchered off in the opening minutes.

Kirk said: “We’re not sure how she is at the moment and the next 48 hours will be crucial in gauging whether it’s a serious injury or just a scare. We hope we can get her back on the pitch as soon as possible because she’s a big player for us.”

Everton Women’s first match in their new home at Walton Hall Park will be against Manchester United on Sunday 23 February (12.30pm kick-off).

Stadium capacity for the game will be reduced and capped at 1,500 for the visit of Casey Stoney’s side, while the Blues complete work to increase capacity for future fixtures.

Supporters must purchase tickets ahead of the first fixture at the Club’s new home with no ticket sales taking place at the ground on the day.

Tickets can be purchased here.