Izzy Christiansen scored twice as Everton returned to winning ways in the Women's Super League with a resounding 4-0 win over Bristol City at Walton Hall Park.

Playing their first league game since 20 December due to the Christmas break and postponements, Willie Kirk’s Blues were in top form to sustain pressure on the division's top-four sides.

England international Christiansen fired the Toffees into an early lead and Northern Ireland international forward Simone Magill converted from close range to make it 2-0 at half-time.

Midfielder Christiansen added her second after waltzing onto a pass from Lucy Graham to dispatch an unerring finish into the top-left corner of Benedicte Haland's goal.

Megan Finnigan scored her first goal for the Club when the defender's clever header defeated goalkeeper Haland on 64 minutes.

Everton started the campaign with four successive victories but their hopes of claiming a top three finish took a hit during a winless five-match run prior to Christmas.

Christiansen turned home Nicoline Sorensen's low ball from the left after four minutes to hand Kirk's side a dream start following their enforced four-week break.

Norwegian Haland undid her good work denying another Christiansen effort when she fumbled a cross from Hayley Raso, inviting the predatory Magill to double Everton's advantage seven minutes before the break.

A Bristol City penalty appeal fell on deaf ears shortly after the restart and, as the game maintained a frantic pace, Everton midfielder Maeva Clemaron had an effort cleared off the line.

But Graham coolly rolled in Christiansen to thrash home her second goal and bank the points for Everton.

Centre-half Finnigan met Christiansen's left-wing corner with a glancing near-post header to complete the scoring.

Everton return to league action on Wednesday when they visit Birmingham City (7pm kick-off).