LONDON, Apr 9 (SW) - Everton came down to the English capital this afternoon looking for at least a point against Arsenal to keep their league challenge alive. The result means that Arsenal can be champions if they win on Thursday against Charlton, but strange things can still happen.

Everton started livelier too forcing two corners in the first three minutes. Arsenal slowly got into the game but their final ball lacked any commitment. Indeed both sides seemed lack luster in their approach. The first real chance came on 12 minutes when a Yankey move down the left resulted in a low cross into the area which Jayne Ludlow just failed to get on the end of. Then a few minutes later a ball swept across the edge of the area, was picked up by Ludlow but her shot was tipped onto the crossbar by Rachel Brown and Sanderson and Smith got in each others way as they tried to get in on the rebound and the ball bounced wide.

Everton pressed forward and a long kick out from Rachel Brown almost found it's way to Jody Handley. Michelle Evans was also causing Arsenal a lot of trouble out on the left and a clash between her and Yvonne Tracy left the Arsenal left back in a great deal of distress and had to be carried from the field. A sad end to a half which frustrated both sets of supporters.

The second half was only a few minutes old when all hell broke lose. First a long ball forward evaded by Rachel Unitt was taken up by Lianne Sanderson who powered in on goal sending an angled shot past Brown to open the scoring. Then two minutes later Fara Williams got involved in a bad foul on Rachel Yankey. As she was booked also in the first half she was shown red and Everton's slim chances were all but gone. Down to ten players Everton struggled to cope with the pace of Yankey and Sanderson. On 59 minutes another Sanderson run and cross from the left setup Ludlow to tap in at the far post.

On 64 minutes Kelly Smith added her 16th goal of the season when she broke into the area and squeezed a shot past Brown at her near post. Everton were trying to push forward in an attempt to get at least something back but Arsenal were quick to turn the play around. Rachel Brown came far off her line to clear from another Sanderson attack but a quick throw in caught her out and Ludlow was able to tap in her second on 67 mins. Rachel Unitt was being pushed forward and an Evans pass put her through on goal. Byrne managed to pull off a good save to stop the consolation effort which was Everton's best goal chance. Unitt took a hefty challenge soon after this being taken off for treatment. Although she returned to the field she was subbed soon afterwards. Sanderson rounded off the scoring in the last minute after good work on the left by Yankey send over a low cross. Now the last hurdle before Charlton Athletic was taken, 5-0.

Arsenal – Everton 5-0 (0-0)

Goals: 46. Lianne Sanderson 1-0, 59. Jayne Ludlow 2-0, 64. Kelly Smith 3-0, 67. Jayne Ludlow 4-0, 90. Lianne Sanderson 5-0

Referee: Daly
Attendance: 279