BENARTY star Lucy Graham made history on Sunday after scoring the winner in the first ever women's Merseyside Derby to be played at Anfield.

Everton's captain found the back of the net before half-time to seal a famous win for her side against Liverpool.

The former St Columba's High School pupil let fly from range and her speculative effort squeezed through the keeper's fingertips and over the line.

The Ballingry 23-year-old Scottish international's goal proved to be the difference as her team held on for the three points.

Speaking to Everton's official club website at full-time, she said: "I’m speechless - I’m just lost for words!

“I’d like to say massive thanks to the fans for backing us in such numbers – they were definitely like an extra player.

“I don’t think the performance was particularly great, but the three points was all that matters.

“It was a massive occasion and I’m delighted to be on the scoresheet, but the win was no less than the girls deserved."

A total of 23,500 fans walked through the turnstiles for the first ever Women's Super League match to be played at Anfield as part of the inaugural Women's Football Weekend.

Although Liverpool had threatened to take the opener, it was Graham who had the away fans on their feet first.

After taking a touch to steady herself, the central midfielder launched a 25-yard strike towards goal.

Anke Preuss fumbled her effort and watched on agonisingly as a clean sheet literally slipped through her fingers.

Liverpool responded but failed to find an equaliser as they were defeated by a Graham-inspired Everton.

“When you have such a strong defensive line like ours – it keeps you in the game,” she added.

“All you need to do is put the ball in the back of the net once and you can come away with the points. It’s a massive credit to the girls in defence – they kept us in the game.

“This league is so difficult so it’s important we work to improve our performances.

“This game a massive occasion and we enjoyed every minute of it, but there is still work to do.”

Graham moved to Merseyside to sign for Everton in the summer from Bristol City.

She previously played for Dunfermline, Forfar Farmington and Hibernian, before making the move south.

Recent performances for Everton merited another call-up to her country's national team, with head coach Shelley Kerr including the midfielder in her squad for last month's European Championship qualifier.

Graham was an unused substitute as Scotland defeated Albania 5-0 to cap off 2019.