Charlton women extend league lead

By Tony Leighton

Bertelli's lone strike sends Charlton six points clear in the league

A hard-fought 1-0 win against bottom team Birmingham City took Charlton Athletic six points clear at the top of the Nationwide Women's Premier League.

Champions Arsenal thumped second-bottom Chelsea 6-0 to take over second spot from Everton, whose game against Bristol Academy was postponed.

Sunderland's meeting with fourth-in-the-table Doncaster Rovers Belles also fell victim to the weather.

A 1-0 win at Fulham saw Leeds climb above Bristol Academy into fifth place.

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Charlton Athletic 1-0 Birmingham City

Charlton had their work cut out to beat the battling Blues.

The League leaders were unlucky not to take an early lead when England defender Casey Stoney's long-range free-kick struck the crossbar.

But from that point they found it difficult to break down the well-organised visitors' defence.

It took them until the 77th minute to make the breakthrough, midfielder Maria Bertelli scoring after good work by England colleagues Amanda Barr and Eni Aluko.

But the Addicks then had to thank goalkeeper Pauline Cope for a finger-tip save that denied England winger Karen Carney a last-gasp equaliser.

Arsenal 6-0 Chelsea

Four goals in the opening 15 minutes killed off the Chelsea challenge.

England striker Kelly Smith bagged a brace and there was a goal apiece for Scotland striker Julie Fleeting and England midfielder Rachel McArthur.

An own goal stretched the lead five minutes into the second half, and the scoring was completed by England Under-19 striker Lianne Sanderson eight minutes from time.

Though they are still six points behind Charlton, the Gunners have two games in hand and are without question the biggest threat to the Addicks' title hopes.

Fulham 0-1 Leeds United

Striker Lucy Ward hit the winner in the 53rd minute, collecting a loose ball to shoot home from 12 yards.

But that was one of only four shots at goal in an evenly-contested but poor game at Motspur Park.