Nine-goal Arsenal crush Charlton

UEFA Women's Cup finalists Arsenal LFC produced a stunning performance even by their standards to all but wrap up another English Premiership title with a 9-2 victory at Charlton Athletic WFC.

Swift comeback
At kick-off Arsenal led Charlton by eleven points, but the third-place team had a game in hand. Charlton had put up a good effort in losing 3-0 at Arsenal last Thursday, and 20 minutes in led by two goals from Natasha Dowie, who is in the England squad for next week's UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship second qualifying round mini-tournament in Austria. But even before the interval Arsenal were ahead, thanks to Lianne Sanderson, former Charlton player Katie Chapman and Kelly Smith.

Further goals
In the second half Arsenal, chasing a fourth straight league title, moved further in front courtesy of Chapman, Rachel Yankey, Smith, Julie Fleeting and Dowie's England U19 colleague Sian Larkin. Scotland striker Fleeting completed the scoring late on with Charlton having had Donnique Sinclair-Chambers sent off.

Three wins away
Arsenal are now eleven points clear of Everton LFC, and the Gunners are three wins away from securing the title - having so far gained victory in all 16 of their fixtures, scoring 94 goals. They go to Birmingham City LFC on Sunday and a week after that welcome Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC to Borehamwood. On 21 April they visit Umeå IK in the UEFA Women's Cup final first leg before the return eight days later.

FA Cup final
They will be being cheered on by Charlton and Everton, as the English runners-up will enter Europe if Arsenal take the continental crown. The Gunners play their London rivals again in the FA Women's Cup final in Nottingham on 7 May having already won the League Cup.