Arsenal target title triple

Superior goal difference
Following Sunday's 4-1 away win against Leeds United FC, Arsenal top the table on goal difference from Charlton, with Everton two points back. Lianne Sanderson scored her ninth and tenth league goals of the season, while English international Kelly Smith dispatched a penalty to take her haul to 13 from seven starts. Another international star, Rachel Yankey, also found the net.

Defensive solidity
London rivals Charlton boast a group of players to match Arsenal's, with captain Casey Stoney, Katie Chapman, Josanne Potter, Enoila Aluko and Amanda Barr all English internationals. They, like Arsenal, are unbeaten, and boast the best defensive record in the division with just seven goals conceded.

Promising youngsters
Everton possess fewer household names than their southern counterparts, although 2004/05 player of the season Rachel Unitt is England's regular left-back. In addition, they have a large number of promising youngsters including forward Chantelle Perry and midfielders Amy Kane and Michelle Evans. Their only league defeat of the campaign was a 1-0 reverse at Charlton.

Doncaster decline
Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC, formerly the dominant force in English women's football, lie fourth, eight points off the top and having played two games more. Towards the bottom, Chelsea LFC have not been able to achieve the success of the men's side and sit only a point above bottom club Birmingham City LFC, who have four matches in hand. Birmingham's undisputed star is teenage England forward Karen Carney, who faces a tough task dragging her team out of trouble.