Chelsea Ladies 2-1 Sunderland Ladies

Sunderland are yet to win a league game in six attempts

Chelsea moved to within four points of Women's Super League One leaders Manchester City with a comeback win over struggling Sunderland.

Stephanie Roche was given acres of space to put the visitors ahead after good work from Beth Mead.

The goal was a wake-up call for Chelsea as captain Katie Chapman headed in Karen Carney's free-kick to level.

Waves of attacks followed and Fran Kirby nodded in what proved to be the winner as Sunderland's defence cracked.

The home side should have won by more, Eniola Aluko forcing several excellent saves from Rachael Laws, but the points end Chelsea's two-game losing run while Sunderland stay second-bottom.

Chelsea skipper Katie Chapman: "We were disappointed to go a goal behind because we wanted a fast start and really wanted that first goal.

"But we did respond and we managed to get a goal back quite quickly and I think that gave us the momentum from there and we played really well.

"We are a resilient side and got it back on track and have done it a few times this season where we've come back from behind."

Sunderland striker Stephanie Roche: "We always knew we would have to defend deep and not let them get behind us and in the end we were chasing the ball for 90 minutes, which is very hard.

"I thought we held good lines and tried not to let them get behind us and then we got the goal and that gave us a little boost, but the sucker punch was they got the goal back straight away.

"We just need to regroup now and get ourselves going for the second half of the season."