Sunderland Ladies wrote themselves into the history books on Sunday as they inflicted defeat on the usually invincible Arsenal Ladies. It was a fully deserved victory against a team who had lost only once in the league in over six years.

The large crowd at the Hetton Centre witnessed a star studded Arsenal side, crammed full of internationals and containing three players awarded the MBE for service to women’s game, humbled by Sunderland’s determination, skill and growing confidence.

It was end to end as Yankey crossed for Julie Fleeting to head goalward but Rachael Laws collected comfortably and then Nobbs broke through to set up Natalie Gutteridge who turned sharply but her effort was hooked away by Yorston. Sarah Danby and Stokes both shot wide before Yankey played in Fleeting who was thwarted by a brilliant tackle by Gemma Wilson as she closed in on goal.

HT... Sunderland Ladies  0 vs  0 Arsenal Ladies

The second half continued at a furious pace as Danby again played in Gutteridge but she was closed down quickly by Beattie. Arsenal gained two quick corners as they looked to up the tempo and from the second a Gilly Flaherty header was well saved by Laws. It seemed as if the visiting pressure had paid off as Arsenal grabbed the lead on 55 minutes when Chapman’s through ball was collected by Kim Little who surged into the box and rounded keeper Laws before shooting into the empty net. However, this spurred Sunderland on as they poured forward to equalise just four minutes later. Laws played the ball out and Nicola Devine sent Sophie Williams away on the left to hit a great ball behind the defence for Nobbs to run on to and beat the advancing Emma Byrne comfortably. The large crowd were raising the roof as Arsenal became frustrated and Sunderland grew in confidence. A Williams effort was scrambled away with Byrne stranded before another great tackle from Wilson at the other end denied Yankey. Wilson and skipper Steph Bannon were rock solid at the back ably supported by Holmes and Devine while in midfield the running of Nobbs and McDougall denied the visitors space. Further efforts from Danby, Stokes and Gutteridge were beaten away before the home side struck the winner with just four minutes remaining. Great interplay between Williams, Gutteridge and Nobbs saw the ball crossed for McDougall’s overhead kick to sail over Byrne and into the roof of the net sparking wild celebrations.