Arsenal Ladies cannot win the Women’s Super League title despite a 3-1 win at Sunderland Ladies on Saturday.

Chelsea’s victory at Liverpool has put the championship beyond Arsenal with only one match remaining this season.

But the Gunners briefly kept their title hopes alive after a confident victory over Sunderland.

The visitors opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Chioma Ubogagu took advantage of some loose defending in the penalty area and found the net.

But this led to a strong response from Sunderland as the home side equalised within six minutes.

Beth Mead managed to round Sari Van Veenendaal and tucked the ball into the net for the Lady Black Cats.

The visitors almost took the lead again before the break through Dan Carter but her powerful strike was saved which kept the score level at the break.

Arsenal got off to a fast start in the second period and reclaimed the lead eight minutes after the restart.

Alex Scott set up their second goal when she released Ubogagu for a neat finish to make it 2-1 to the visitors.

Sunderland were still in the contest but Arsenal effectively put the match beyond them with their third goal 15 minutes from time.

Natalia Pablos Sanchon clinched the points when she curled the ball into the home net to secure a deserved victory.

Arsenal will host Manchester City in their Continental Cup quarter-final at Meadow Park tonight.

The winners of the tie will take on Birmingham City for a place in the final of the competition.

Arsenal finish their league campaign with a home game against Birmingham City on Sunday at 6pm.