16 October 2005
Charlton Athletic v Everton: Highlights
Charlton's Casey Stoney talks through the action in her side's 1-0 win over league rivals Everton.

Charlton Athletic closed the gap on Premier League leaders Everton with a 1-0 win in Gravesend.

Skipper Casey Stoney scored with a close-range header to seal the three points and move the Addicks on to 16 points, level with the Merseyside outfit, having played a game less.

However, it was Everton who dominated much of the first-half, England left-back Rachel Unitt coming close with a neat volley which forced a good save from Pauline Cope.

After the break, Everton's Kelly McDougall's also called Cope into action, while at the other end Jo Potter sent an inch perfect cross over the visitors' defence for Amanda Barr, but the Three Lions striker was foiled by England team-mate Rachel Brown, who also dived to save a 20-yard effort from Eniola Aluko.

With just seven minutes left, a foul on Danielle Murphy allowed Potter to float in a perfect, far-post free-kick which was met by Stoney to power in for the win. Everton pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Fara Williams and Chantelle Parry both on the offensive, but to no avail as the Addicks took the points.

Stoney was delighted with her contribution and told TheFA.com of the importance of being winners: "It was a must win game today. If we'd have dropped any points we'd have given Arsenal the advantage and they might have gone on to win the league. 

"But it's all in the balance now. To get three points is fantastic and from a personal note, for me to score was fantastic.

"All credit to Jo Potter, she's been one of our best players this season. Best left foot in the game, I would say. She put it right on my head and all I had to do was head it in."

The England international continued: "I've been scoring penalties, but I wanted to score from open play.  Jo just put it in and if we can attack more balls like that, we'll score more goals."

Charlton now have to turn their attention to another top of the table clash on Thursday night when they entertain current Champions Arsenal, and Stoney knows how vital a victory will be.

"I know a few of the Arsenal girls were here watching, we know it's going to be a tough game. The Evertons and the Arsenals are never easy.

Stoney added: "We've got to go out there wanting to get three points. For me and the team it's a must win game again."

Elsewhere, Doncaster Rovers Belles brushed Bristol Academy aside with a crushing 6-1 victory to move within a point of the top two. Hieke Zijlstra opened the scoring for Bristol in the first minute but Michelle Walsh levelled two minutes later.

Pauline Hammill then edged the Belles' in front just before half-time. After the turnaround, the Yorkshire side romped on with Walsh, Hammill, Carla Cantrell and Michelle Kerr completing the rout.

Fulham also earned maximum points, climbing up to sixth in the table after seeing off bottom-placed Birmingham City.

Sally Lacey put Birmingham in the lead with just ten minutes of the first half still remaining but Jodian Clarke levelled soon after and the teams went in level. Clarke added her second on 53 minutes and completed her hat-trick and the win for Fulham with 20 minutes left.