Karen Holmgaard returned to the Everton line-up as they fell to a narrow 2-1 loss to Manchester City at Goodison Park in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
She has suffered hugely with injury in recent months, undergoing hip surgery last year, and then missing a couple of games more recently with a nerve problem.
But she replaced Martina Fernandez just after the hour mark on Sunday and immediately got into the action as the Toffees caused all sorts of problems for the team who now sit top of the WSL table.
“I think it was a great team performance,” she told the club’s official television channel. “Unfortunately we got a loss, but you can see that we have improved a lot.
“And even [if] we haven’t got the results for a while, we are working hard during the weeks, we are training good, and we are training hard, so you can see, I think we are developing as a team and we are getting closer and closer.”
Karen Holmgaard: It’s hard work every day
Everton boss Brian Sorensen had said immediately after the game that his team had done everything right apart from winning the game, declaring himself “super gutted” on their behalf.
Kelly Gago’s first-half strike wasn’t enough for Everton to take anything from the game, but they never stopped seeking that second, said Holmgaard.
“Especially in the second half, we were really pushing for the goal. We are playing really well on the ball. We have just missed scoring goals, creating opportunities, and I think we are getting closer. I can’t wait to the next weeks. I think it’s really positive we can take from this game today.”
And regarding her recent fitness issues, she admitted: “It has been frustrating weeks for me, but happy to be back. I’ve been playing many positions the last few years, so I’m just trying to play my style of play and do my best.”
Everton next face West Ham United, who sit bottom of the WSL table, on Sunday, 16th November.
“If we are playing as we did today, for sure we’ll get three points next weekend, but we need to keep working hard week in and week out because otherwise we are not going to get a win so it’s hard work every single day.
“We need three points next weekend.”
