Sunderland 2-1 Arsenal
The FA Tesco Women's Premier League
Hetton Centre
Sunday 22 November 2009
It was a Wearside Gunners double for Sunderland this weekend as both the men's and women's teams triumphed over Arsenal.
24 hours after Darren Bent's strike sent Arsene Wenger's side home empty handed, Mick Mulhern's ladies inflicted an unusual defeat on their FA Tesco Women's Premier League opponents at the Hetton Centre. It was also only Arsenal's second league defeat in over six years.
The result was even more remarkable considering Arsenal had swept Sunderland aside 5-1 just seven days earlier.
With the game goalless at the break, the Champions stepped up the pressure when Katie Chapman’s through ball was collected by Kim Little on 55 minutes. The Scotland international burst into the box and took the ball around goalkeeper Rachael Laws and rolled into the empty net.
Many sides have buckled at an Arsenal lead, but not Sunderland.
Boosted by a healthy support, they went in search of an equaliser and it came just four minutes later. Sophie Williams, out on the left, delivered an inviting ball across goal for Jordan Nobbs. She took it well slotting past the advancing Emma Byrne in the Arsenal goal.
Confidence was high now, and Sunderland had chances to go in front through Williams, Sarah Danby and Natalie Gutteridge all forcing saves from Byrne, but the Irish stopper had no chance when Kelly McDougall struck the winner with just four minutes remaining.
This time Nobbs was the creator, sending in a cross for McDougall to connect with an overhead effort that sailed over Byrne and into the roof of the net.
"I’m very proud of my team," said Mulhern after the final whistle. "We had a game plan which worked perfectly today. We defended well and frustrated Arsenal.
"The most pleasing thing was that the girls took last week’s weaknesses and turned them into strengths. This result was enormous for the women’s game and I am delighted.”
He added: "We beat Chelsea in the Semi-Finals of The FA Cup at the Stadium of Light last year and that gave us the big day out. And we’ve had wins to clinch promotions which have been very special.
“This win only gives us three points, but beating Arsenal is very special indeed. It’s a result that has stunned the game. I’ve had texts and calls from all sorts of people; from managers from other clubs, to friends I haven’t heard from in years!
"There has been a lot of congratulations, and they should go to the players. It was a fantastic team effort.”
SunderlandRachael Laws, Abby Holmes, Stephanie Bannon, Gemma Wilson, Nicola Devine, Lucy Staniforth (Sophie Williams), Jordan Nobbs, Kelly McDougall, Sarah Danby, Natalie Gutteridge
Arsenal Emma Byrne, Jennifer Beattie, Ciara Grant, Gilly Flaherty, Corinne Yorston, Jayne Ludlow, Katie Chapman, Rachel Yankey, Kim Little, Gemma Davison, Julie Fleeting
Pictures from
www.sunderlandwfc.co.uk
