Karen Carney

During the Royal Wedding weekend, perenniel bridesmaids Everton stutter again, while Birmingham take a giant step towards claiming Arsenal’s crown.

The top two – Arsenal and Birmingham – met on Thursday night at Borehamwood. With both sides boasting 100% WSL records, something had to give, and it looked like champions Arsenal were on course to claim the points after Ellen White’s goal just before half time.

However, as the home side squandered chances at one end, Blues grew in confidence at the other, and drew level through Rachel Williams’ sixth goal of the season.

With twenty minutes to go, a mistake by Arsenal defender Gilly Flaherty gave Birmingham the victory. The young centre half sold Emma Byrne woefully short with a backpass, and allowed ex-Gunner Karen Carney to round to keeper and finish from a tight angle.

Meanwhile, Everton’s desperately disappointing start to the season continued as they could only record a third successive draw against Lincoln.

The stalemate at Ashby Avenue left both teams still searching for their first win of the season.

Sunday’s fixtures saw Chelsea build on their impressive start to the campaign, as they moved up to second with a hard fought victory away at Liverpool.

Goals from Danni Buet and Drew Spence gave the Blues a two goal lead, but Liverpool came back into the game and Kelly Jones’ bullet header ensured a nervy second half, but Chelsea hung on for their second consecutive away win.

Another team celebrating were Bristol Academy, who picked up their first victory of the season thanks to Loren Dykes’ late strike against Doncaster Belles at the Stoke Gifford stadium.