20 August 2006
Charlton Athletic 1 Everton 2: Watch the Action

Everton come from behind against Charlton to win TheFA.com's first feature match of the season.

Having just held onto their National Division status last season, Chelsea lead The FA Women's Premier League following a 5-0 opening day victory at Fulham.

England youth international Ellen White and Lizzy Jenkins gave Chelsea a two-goal cushion by the break, with Nicky de la Salle (2) and Nina Downham finding the net in the last quarter.

Arsenal began their championship defence with a 3-0 victory at newcomers, Blackburn Rovers. Kelly Smith gave the Gunners a half-time lead from distance, and again struck from outside the box after the break, with Julie Fleeting seeing her effort go in off the post.

Everton got off to a great start, with a 2-1 win on their travels to Charlton Athletic in TheFA.com featured game of the weekend.

An Eniola Aluko goal seemed to have sent the Addicks in ahead at the interval, but new signing from Sunderland, Jill Scott, levelled on the stroke of half-time.

Jody Handley, who last season led the league goalscoring charts for the bulk of the season, hit the winner with seven minutes remaining as Mo Marley's side bounced back from their FA Women's Community Shield defeat. 

Birmingham City also got off to winning start, two goals bringing no response from Sunderland. Maz Gauntlet's 21st minute goal was the difference, until Amy McCann completed the scoring on 63 minutes.

Speaking after the match, McCann, a summer signing from Everton told BBC Birmingham's website: "I did have nerves at the start [of the match], but it was great scoring.

"Obviously I was ecstatic to score because that’s what I love doing, but I had missed a few chances in the first half so I was relieved too."

Looking further ahead to the season and why she left next week's opponents Everton, Amy said: "At the end of last season Mickey Moore approached me and gave me the opportunity to play regular football and move back locally, and this was too good an offer to turn down.

"Now my ambitions for the season are to secure a first team place, score lots of goals and be as successful as possible with the Blues."

After the dramas of last season, Birmingham have got off to a flying start and with England U19 internationals Heather Scheuber and Danni Bird still to return from injury, the season ahead looks very bright.