Arsenal

4-1

Chelsea

Carney 21, 83, Smith 32, Little 81

 


Whitter 16



The FA Tesco Women's Premier League
7pm, Thursday 24 April 2008
The Emirates Stadium, Arsenal FC
See Arsenal in The FA Women's Cup Final - click here

Arsenal clinched their fifth successive Premier League title in style as they came from a goal down to defeat London rivals Chelsea in emphatic fashion at the Emirates Stadium.

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After Everton's draw with Birmingham last Sunday, Vic Akers side knew before this game that the chance to win the League would come at the home of the men's team with Chelsea the opponents.

But the Blues obviously hadn't read the script as they opened the scoring after 16 minutes with a sublime lob from Emma Whitter. Breaking free on the right hand flank, Whitter drove towards goal before lifting the ball over Emma Byrne.

The Gunners showed their composure despite going behind, and quickly levelled the scores as Kelly Smith found Karen Carney with a delightful through pass and the England international finished off the move with style.

Just moments later Carney burst into the Chelsea box and the referee adjudged Casey Stoney to have handled the ball, and pointed to the spot. Arsenal's top scorer Lianne Sanderson stepped up, but Siobhan Chamberlain guessed right and prevented the Gunners from going in front.

They would have another chance from 12 yards however, as Kelly Smith was felled in the box on the half hour mark and Smith took the resulting spot kick to put the home side ahead.

Into the second period and Arsenal's newest recruit, Kim Little, got on the scoresheet as she finished off a fine run from Smith. The 17-year-old midfielder who joined from Hibernian last month tapped in after a lovely piece of skill from Smith.

Karen Carney capped a superb display from the hosts with arguably the goal of the night, trading passes with Smith before slotting past Chamberlain, it was a tremendous end to the evening that saw Arsenal crowned champions.