Katie Chapman and Fran Kirby scored as Chelsea Ladies recovered from an early setback to beat Sunderland 2-1 at Wheatsheaf Park.
Having been beaten in the Women’s FA Cup final, and seen their 100 per cent league record ended last Thursday with defeat against Manchester City, the Blues were shaken again when they conceded a sixth-minute goal against the winless visitors.
The dangerous Beth Mead set up Irish forward Stephanie Roche and her crisp left-footed shot beat Chelsea keeper Hedvig Lindahl.
But the lead lasted barely a couple of minutes, Chapman heading home a Karen Carney free-kick.
Eni Aluko was bright throughout and after spurning a couple of half-chances herself, created the goal midway through the first half which proved to be the winner.
After finding some space down the left, she sent a right-footed cross into Kirby, who glanced her header beyond Rachael Laws in the Sunderland goal.
Chelsea could have won by more, but Ji So-yun fired just wide, Aluko shot into the side netting and Laws produced a superb second-half display.
She denied Aluko three times with fine stops and also kept out an effort from Kirby.
The only negative was the early loss to injury of Claire Rafferty, with Ana Borges replacing her.
This post was last modified on 02/06/2016