Dowie brace helps Everton go top

By Tony Leighton

Natasha Dowie was on the scoresheet for Everton

Dowie's brace helped Everton move to the top of the league

England Under-23 striker Natasha Dowie scored twice as Everton beat Birmingham City 4-2 to claim top spot in the Women's Premier League.

Everton are now three points clear of Arsenal, who have a game in hand on the Toffees and a superior goal difference.

At the other end of the table Fulham remained in the relegation zone despite grinding out a hard-earned 1-1 draw at Bristol Academy.

Stef Curtis put Bristol ahead but Gemma Fraser smashed a brilliant equaliser.

Everton 4-2 Birmingham City

Striker Becky Hall gave Birmingham the lead after just two minutes, but 16 minutes later Everton were 2-1 ahead thanks to Natasha Dowie's two goals.

Emily Westwood stretched the home side's leads four minutes before half-time and Toni Duggan hit the clincher nine minutes after the interval.

Amy McCann pulled a goal back in the 69th minute, but the visitors never looked capable of preventing the Toffees from maintaining their 100% record.

Bristol Academy 1-1 Fulham

Academy went ahead after only five minutes as striker Stef Curtis pounced on a loose ball to shoot home her seventh goal of the season.

Fulham drew level 10 minutes before half-time with a 'Goal of the Season' candidate, Gemma Fraser firing a 30-yard drive into the top corner of the net.

The home side pressed for a winner after the break, but goalkeeper Kelly Cooper earned the Cottagers a point when she saved Justine Lorton's 75th minute penalty.