The deadlock was nearly broken when Suzanne Grant put in Little and her shot went under Alderson but Lucy Bronze slid in to clear off the line, under pressure from Rachel Yankey. As Arsenal continued to dominate, the Wearsiders defence held firm ably led by skipper Steph Bannon and Vicki Greenwell and well supported by Lucy Bronze and Sophie Halliday. Alderson clawed away Yankey's shot and turned another from Davison round the post. Then Jayne Ludlow was close to getting her head to a Yankey free-kick but it was Katie Chapman who opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, following up after Alderson could only parry Davison's 20-yard drive. Suzanne Grant dragged the ball wide of the far upright from Little's ball and the last chance of the half saw Ludlow shoot over the top from 22 yards. HT...Arsenal LFC  1  vs  0  Sunderland WFC

Sophie Williams went past Ludlow early in the second half but Emma Byrne came to collect the cross comfortably. Sunderland soon lost Williams after an innocuous challenge, with the forward collapsing due to exhaustion, which saw the game held up for 5 minutes. She was taken to hospital as a precaution and replaced on the pitch by Nicola Devine. Ludlow again went close to connecting with a ball from Yankey to the far post. Gilly Flaherty took a blow to the head when Alderson punched clear, Chapman soon suffered similarly. Sunderland were finding it difficult to create chances as Natalie Gutteridge ploughed a lone furrow up front although Jordan Nobbs caught the eye in midfield with her dynamic nonstop running from beginning to end. Alderson again came to the rescue when substitute Helen Lander was put clean through, the keeper making a fine block with her legs. Alderson survived a scare soon after as her clearance was charged down by Lander, who failed to make the most of the opportunity. The Gunners' win was not secured until the 92nd minute, when Little controlled a long ball and spun away from the keeper and defender to knock the ball into the net. Demi Stokes found space to hit the target but it was straight at Byrne. Substitute Sarah Danby tried a brilliant chip from 25 yards that brought an acrobatic tip over from Byrne. There was still time for Sunderland to net a consolation goal though, with almost the last touch of the game in the 97th minute. Player of the Match Lucy Bronze provided the cross and Kelly McDougall swept the ball past Emma Byrne for the biggest cheer of the day.  FT...Arsenal LFC  2  vs  1  Sunderland WFC

Arsenal: Emma Byrne, Jayne Ludlow (C), Laura Bassett (Faye White, 90), Gilly Flaherty, Ciara Grant, Suzanne Grant (Helen Lander, 58), Rachel Yankey, Gemma Davison (Natalie Ross, 82), Kim Little, Katie Chapman, Niamh Fahey. Subs Not Used: Spencer, Pond. Manager - Vic Akers