THERE was no happy ending to Sunderland’s fairytale run to the FA Cup final as clear favourites Arsenal dominated the Black Cats ladies on their way to a comfortable and deserved victory.

But there was no disgrace either as Mick Mulhern’s capable young side fought doggedly and proved themselves more than worthy of their place on the big stage.

The only black mark on the Black Cats’ big day was striker Sophie Williams needing hospital treatment after she fell ill on the field following a challenge with Arsenal skipper Chapman.

Williams, who was feeling unwell in the run-up to the game, was given oxygen and suffered a seizure in the tunnel – but she was on the mend last night.

“I’m very, very proud of the girls. I think the football club has a very bright future,” said a proud Mulhern afterwards.

“We’re a young team but we coped very well with the pressure of playing at Pride Park and playing against the team who are the best in the country.

“It was always going to be difficult but we proved that we’re capable of matching teams up there. I feel proud to be their manager.”

The game was billed as mission impossible for Sunderland in their first ever appearance in a cup final and so it proved.

Arsenal’s five-year dominance of the English game may be showing signs of wear and tear but they still entered the afternoon on the back of three straight cup final victories – and their superior knowhow and experience of the big occasion meant they settled the quicker of the two sides.

Although Sunderland worked hard to restrict their movement and invention up-front, the Gunners managed to work striker Suzanne Grant into some good positions – only for her to fluff her lines in front of goal.