Everton halt Arsenal victory run

By Tony Leighton

Everton ended Arsenal's remarkable run of 51 successive Women's Premier League victories with a goalless draw.

But with just eight points needed from four games, the Gunners are still odds-on favourites to retain the title.

Birmingham City scored a comprehensive 4-0 win at Charlton Athletic to end any fears of relegation.

Birmingham's win means Cardiff City, who were without a game on the weekend, will drop out of the top flight along with the already-relegated Addicks.

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Arsenal 0-0 Everton

The League leaders had the better of the early exchanges and went close through England striker Kelly Smith.

But they became increasingly disjointed as second-in-the-table Everton pressed them in every area of the pitch.

If the visitors had shown a little more composure in the penalty area after the break, they might have pulled off a victory to match their League Cup final win against the Gunners.

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Charlton Athletic 0-4 Birmingham City

Charlton were on the back foot from the moment Sally Lacey shot the visitors ahead after three minutes.

Laura Bassett doubled Birmingham's advantage from a 41st-minute penalty before second-half goals from Chelsea Weston and Sinead Wade wrapped up victory.

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Leeds United 1-0 Bristol Academy

Leeds stepped up their bid for a third-place finish with a narrow win against the team currently occupying that position.

Striker Amanda Barr won the match with a spectacular overhead kick seven minutes before half-time.

The result took Leeds up to fourth place, three points behind Bristol but with four games in hand.

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Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Chelsea

First-half goals from strike partners Eni Aluko and Ellen White were enough to give Chelsea a victory that lifted them above Rovers into fifth place.

Striker Katie Anderton pulled a goal back for the home side midway through the second half, but despite some late pressure they were unable to force an equaliser.