By Tony Leighton

Arsenal moved nine points clear at the top of the Women's Premier League with a 4-1 victory over third in the table Chelsea.

In the weekend's only other league game Leeds Carnegie won 4-1 against relegation haunted Nottingham Forest.

In delayed FA Cup ties top flight teams Everton, Blackburn Rovers went through to the fifth round.

They were joined by fellow Premier League sides Bristol Academy and Birmingham City.

WOMEN'S PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea

Striker Kelly Smith put the Gunners on the road to victory with her 26th goal of the season in the 27th minute.

Winger Karen Carney doubled the score three minutes later, then seven minutes into the second half Chelsea goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain turned the ball into her own net.

Winger Dunia Susi pulled a goal back for the visitors just after the hour, but six minutes from time right back Alex Scott wrapped up victory for league leaders.

Leeds Carnegie 4-1 Nottingham Forest

Leeds moved up to eighth place in the table with a clear-cut victory sparked by a 24th minute penalty converted by Sue Smith.

Jade Moore increased the home side's lead five minutes before half-time and Steph Houghton effectively put the game beyond Forest with a 64th minute goal.

For good measure Smith added her second of the afternoon in the 71st minute. Catherine Lawson hit Forest's consolation goal with an 83rd minute penalty.

FA WOMEN'S CUP ROUND FOUR

Everton 4-0 Fulham

First half goals by winger Toni Duggan and striker Natasha Dowie set Everton up for a comfortable victory.

A fifth round tie at Manchester City was assured when midfielder Jill Scott and full back Becky Easton both scored in the early stages of the second period.

Watford 1-3 Bristol Academy

All of the goals came in a 15-minute spell in the second half after Kerry Bartlett had given Bristol a 67th minute lead.

Lisa Burrows levelled the scores, but then Bartlett grabbed a second goal and Justine Lorton hit the victory clincher.

Blackburn Rovers 3-0 Luton Town

Goals by Karen Burke, Katie Anderton and Emma McDougall took Rovers through against hard working opponents from the South East Combination.

Charlton Athletic 0-6 Birmingham City

Former Charlton left winger Jo Potter was on target twice as Blues knocked out the Southern Division leaders.

The visitors led 3-0 at the interval through Becky Hall, Potter and Dannii Bird though at the other end Kim Dixson had unluckily hit the crossbar.

The Addicks continued to battle after the break but goals in the last 11 minutes by Chloe Foster, Potter and Christine Torkildsen sent Blues into Round Five.

Crystal Palace 1-2 Aston Villa (aet)

Northern Division Villa edged a close fought contest against their Southern Division hosts, who led for much of the first half following Sharon Longville's early goal.

Carly Davies equalised just before half-time, however, and three minutes into the second half of extra time Kelly Clarke grabbed the winner.

Barnet 2-1 Portsmouth

Cheryl Williams hit the winner as the Bees came out on top in the meeting of two high-flying Southern Division teams.

Gemma Ritchie equalised Holly Sandlow's opener for the home side, but Williams earned Barnet a fifth round tie at Sunderland with a penalty winner.

Revised fifth round draw

Derby County v Chelsea

Aston Villa v Leeds Carnegie

Lincoln v Nottingham Forest

Manchester City v Everton

Middlesbrough v Arsenal

Millwall Lionesses v Blackburn Rovers

Sunderland v Barnet

Bristol Academy v Birmingham City

Matches to be played Sunday, 25 January

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