Arsenal crowned women's champions

Arsenal were crowned champions and Doncaster Rovers Belles escaped relegation on the concluding day of the Women's Premier League campaign.

England striker Kelly Smith, returning from injury, hit the goal that gave Arsenal a 1-0 title-clinching victory at Charlton Athletic.

And Vicky Exley secured Donny's survival with the winner as Birmingham City were beaten 1-0 at Belle Vue.

Donny's survival condemns Liverpool to the drop along with Bristol City.

They will be replaced next season by promotion winners Chelsea and Sunderland.



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Charlton Athletic 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal manager Vic Akers added his congratulations to the Belles while celebrating his own team's fourth League title in five seasons.

"I wished them well before the game," he said, "And I'm delighted to hear the news that they've kept themselves up.

"They're a club with a great history and they belong in the top flight."

Akers had seen his team win a tight contest at Charlton, where the home side were denied an early lead as Jess Smith's header was cleared off the line.

England striker Eni Aluko also had a first-half shot well saved by Arsenal goalkeeper Emma Byrne.

But the decisive moment arrived in the 64th minute, when Smith hit the winner with her first touch barely 60 seconds after entering the fray as substitute.

The England star superbly curled a long range effort into the top of the net, to the delight of Akers and the rest of the Arsenal contingent.

Akers said: "To win a game of that sort with a goal like that is fantastic. The team has done really well and it's amazing to have a group of girls like this around you.

"We've won the League quite a few times now, but every year it means more to me."

Arsenal's title triumph is their seventh in 12 seasons.



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Doncaster Rovers Belles 1-0 Birmingham

Exley's winner capped off a fine performance by the Belles.

England full-back Alex Scott went close for Birmingham with a 26th-minute shot that hit the post but that was the only moment of danger for the home side.

The Belles took control after the break and Stacey Copeland had a 53rd-minute shot brilliantly saved by England goalkeeper Jo Fletcher.

Fletcher then made an even better save from an Exley free-kick in the 66th minute but, from the resulting corner taken by Michelle Walsh, Exley headed the Donny's survival clincher.

Exley, who stayed with the club at the start of the season despite a mass exodus, said: "I love the club and I couldn't have left.

"It's been a really hard season, but I never lost hope that we could stay up.

"We've come good over the last couple of months thanks to some new signings, and next season I'm confident we'll be back at the top end of the table."

Well done. It's always between Fulham, Arsenal and Charlton but they usually keep it entertaining

Well done to Arsenal, next year I think it will be Charlton they are still a young team, on the other hand Arsenal much more expeirienced and older, have not got a clue on Fulham but I have herd great things about them ! But good luck to Arsenal for next season.