20 October 2005
Everton v Arsenal: Highlights
Everton's Jody Handley talks through the action in her side's exciting 3-3 draw with league rivals Arsenal.

Jody Handley scored a late equaliser against title rivals Arsenal to keep Everton top of The FA Nationwide Women's Premier League.

It was another epic from the Gunners' point of view following their 3-3 draw at Charlton ten days ago. A six-goal thriller, watched by over 1,500 fans at Marine FC's Rossett Park ground, kept Vic Akers' team six points off the pace, but with three games in hand.

With a whole host of England stars on show, Head Coach Hope Powell would have been pleased to see all six goals coming from players involved in last Thursday's 13-0 thrashing of Hungary, while 'keeper Rachel Brown did well to restrict Arsenal to three.

Winger Rachel Yankey pounced to put the visitors in front and Kelly Smith showed just why she's one of the best in the world, tricking her way around the defence to roll home.

But Everton hit back, and were level within four minutes of the re-start. First Rachel Unitt was on hand to punish Arsenal for a goalkeeping mistake, then Fara Williams scored with a diving header, tucking the ball into the corner of Emma Byrne's net.

Smith put Arsenal back in front with half an hour remaining, slamming the ball past Brown, but Everton were determined to get something from the game, and when the ball fell to Handley inside the Arsenal box she applied the killer touch to earn her side a point.

"It was a brilliant crowd today and hopefully they've enjoyed the game and will come back again," Handley said when she spoke to TheFA.com after the final whistle.

"Arsenal got two lucky goals from our mistakes. We came out in the second-half and knew we had to go for it.

"The main thing is we keep picking points up. Arsenal have games in hand but the pressure will be on them to get the points in the bag."

She added: "As long as we keep getting points on the board then they are always playing catch-up."

Meanwhile, Charlton's 2-1 win over Bristol Academy edges them closer to the summit, with just goal-difference separating them and Everton, and the Addicks have played a game less.

Michelle Hickmott sent a splendid volley dipping over Siobhan Chamberlain for her first goal in Charlton colours. The Addicks increased their lead as Sarah Snare's shot skipped off the turf and found the far corner of the goal.

Katie Ward's penalty to put Bristol back into the game with nine minutes left, but it was not enough to stop Charlton taking the three points.

Birmingham City hit three second-half goals at Chelsea to record their first league win of the campaign, in the bottom-of-the-table battle. Ellen Maggs claimed a hat-trick after Nina Downham equalised on 41 minutes. Karen Carney added to the Blues' tally.

Leeds United won the Yorkshire derby, defeating Doncaster Rovers Belles 3-1. Vicky Exley gave the Belles a 10th minute advantage but Lucy Ward levelled after 35 minutes. Sophie Walton put Leeds ahead with 20 minutes to go, before Vanessa Leat put through her own goal.

Fulham pulled off a 2-1 win up at Sunderland to overtake the Black Cats in the table. Jill Scott opened the scoring on 47 minutes driving into the Fulham net, but Dunia Susi drew Fulham level 15 minutes later. Fulham's winner came following a corner, Parnell's low drive was only parried by Alderson, but managed to creep over the line.