Post-Match Report

Ladies: Charlton Athletic 2-9 Arsenal

Charlton Women -

Stonebridge Road
Women's Premier League
Women's Premier League
  Charlton Women
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Charlton Women
2 9
  Arsenal Women
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Arsenal Women

Arsenal Ladies need just 11 points from their last six Premier League games to retain the title after thrashing London rivals Charlton on Thursday night.

Vic Akers' side trailed to a brace from Natasha Dowie inside the first 20 minutes but bounced back in style to score nine times against the team they will face in next month's FA Cup Final.

Lianne Sanderson, Katie Chapman (2), Kelly Smith (2), Rachel Yankey, Julie Fleeting (2) and Sian Larkin were all on target for the rampant Gunners.

Smith threatened to break the deadlock early on but instead Arsenal found themselves two goals down. Eniola Aluko's cross was finished off by Dowie and the same player pounced again after a high ball had caused confusion in the Arsenal defence.

The champions' long unbeaten record looked under threat, especially when Charlton hit the post moments later, but Sanderson reduced the deficit with a confident finish after holding off Casey Stoney.

Chapman headed the equaliser against her former club after 34 minutes and Smith converted Sanderson's pass to complete a remarkable turnaround and give Arsenal a half-time lead.

The second half was one-way traffic. Chapman doubled her own tally with another firm header and Yankey curled a perfect free kick into the net to effectively end the game as a contest.

Smith made it 6-2 with 10 minutes remaining and Fleeting scored her first shortly afterwards. Donnique Sinclair-Chambers was sent off for a second bookable offence before further goals from Larkin and Fleeting compounded Charlton's misery.

Arsenal have won all 16 of their Premier League fixtures this season, scoring 94 goals in the process and conceding just six times. A domestic treble surely awaits Akers' all-conquering team.

 
[IMG: 59665 alt="Casey Stoney and Karen Carney clash" width="230" height="230" ]

Casey Stoney and Karen Carney clash

[IMG: 59666 alt="Jayne Ludlow holds off Jo Potter" width="230" height="230" ]

Jayne Ludlow holds off Jo Potter


 
[IMG: 59667 alt="Danielle Murphy and Mary Phillip" width="230" height="230" ]

Danielle Murphy and Mary Phillip

[IMG: 59668 alt="Jayne Ludlow chases Eniola Aluko" width="230" height="230" ]

Jayne Ludlow chases Eniola Aluko



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