20 October 2005
Charlton Athletic v Arsenal: Highlights
Arsenal's Kelly Smith talks through the action in her side's exciting 3-3 draw with league rivals Charlton.

Charlton Athletic

3-3

Arsenal

Snare, Aluko 2

Smith 3

FA Nationwide Women's Premier League
Thursday 20 October 2005
Gravesend and Northfleet FC

Charlton moved to the top of Nationwide Women’s Premier League following a thrilling draw against title rivals and current holders, Arsenal.

England stars Eniola Aluko and Kelly Smith stole the show with five goals between them, but it was Smith who returned home with the match ball.

Charlton shocked Arsenal with two goals inside ten minutes with Sarah Snare and the first of two stunning strikes from Aluko. The Addicks then should have extended their lead before half time but some wasteful finishing saved the visitors and gave them a chance to re-group.

However, Arsenal made the perfect start to the second half when England midfielder Smith, slid the ball past helpless Addicks ‘keeper Pauline Cope and opened her account for the evening.

Soon after though, Charlton had restored their two goal advantage when Aluko scored her second stunning long distance strike of the game.

Yet Arsenal were soon back into the game, when they were awarded a penalty after Smith was brought down by the slightly unlucky Karen Hills. Smith duly converted the spot kick to set up an exhilarating finish to a superb match.

Just two minutes later, Charlton were reduced to just ten players after the dismissal of Emma Coss for elbowing Gemma Davidson during a tussle in midfield.

Then, deep into stoppage time, Kelly Smith completed her hat-trick with a sublime solo effort and thus gained Arsenal hard earned point, in a game which arguably, Charlton deserved to win.

After the final whistle of this dramatic top-of-the-table encounter, hat-trick hero Smith, who was last week short-listed for the FIFA World player of the Year, wasn’t happy with the Gunners’ performance.

She told TheFA.com: "We are delighted that we have pulled a point back, but our first half performance was simply not good enough."

The draw means that Charlton top the league, one point ahead of Everton in second. Arsenal, meanwhile, are in fourth place but they do have two games in hand over their London rivals.

To watch highlights from the match, click the links above...