More than 14 months on from rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament, Nicoline Sorensen returned to the field for the first time on Saturday against Arsenal.

Two surgeries, months of gruelling rehab on and off the pitch, weeks of training led up to this moment and, as she entered the field, one chapter closed and a bright new one began.

With a beaming smile, the Dane said it felt incredible to return to football.

"It felt unreal," she told evertontv. "It's a moment that I've been waiting for so, so long. 

"I've taken my time but it was worth the wait and I'm just so happy."

The 25-year-old replaced Aggie Beever-Jones with 20 minutes left to play and with the game in the balance, she looked to contribute to an Everton equaliser.

She came close on several occasions, delivering exceptional balls into the area but the fairytale return wasn't quite to be as it ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.

Nevertheless, Sorensen looked like a player who had never been away, fitting in seamlessly into Brian Sorensen's side and influencing the fiercely fought contest in the final stages.

With four games left in 2022, she now hopes to build on her weekend's performance and help contribute in front of goal before the year is done.

"It felt really good to come on. I found some good spaces and I just tried to play my game," she added.

"I didn't have too many expectations for myself. I just wanted to go out there and enjoy it.

"We of course came to get points but we were close, and we have been close against the top teams [this season].

"We're progressing, trying to do the right things and I'm sure the points will come very soon.

"I feel good and now I just want to build on [from this].

"Of course I would love to hit the back of the net. That would be another big milestone for me.

"The first goal was to get back on the pitch, the next is to score.

"I want to help as much as I can. Assist, score, play well. I hope I can do that before Christmas."