Narrow victory for title holders

Birmingham City 0-1 Arsenal
The FA Tesco Women's Premier League
2pm, Sunday 27 September 200

Birmingham City Ladies nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Women's football when they pushed star-studded Arsenal all the way on Sunday afternoon.

Many teams would have crumbled after Scotland international Kim Little scored an Arsenal goal with less than two minutes gone. But Birmingham gave as good as they got with central defenders Jemma Rose and Kerys Harrop particularly outstanding. And the Blues nearly forced a late equaliser after manager Stuart Wilson's triple substitution with 15 minutes to go had Arsenal on the ropes. Dani Saulter went closest to scoring for the Birmingham Ladies.

But Arsenal, the dominant force in Women's football, held on for a 1-0 away victory in a physical encounter to get their league season off to a winning start.

Elsewhere, England international defender Casey Stoney starred for Chelsea with a hat-trick in their 7-0 win at second-placed Watford.
And another rising star on the England scene, U23 international Carla Cantrell, was even more impressive with all four Leeds Carnegie goals, including a second half hat-trick in their 4-0 win at Bristol Academy.

Everton Ladies were also in the goals as they knocked six without reply at home to Nottingham Forest.

Millwall Lionesses stay top of the early season FA Tesco Women's Premier League table thanks to a 2-0 home win over Doncaster Belles. The goals came from Lindsey Morgan and Ann-Marie Heatherson.

Natalie Preston scored two first half goals for Blackburn Ladies and goalkeeper Krystal Parker also impressed as they ran out 2-1 winners at Sunderland.