SUNDERLAND fans could hardly have been happier as they danced and sang their way out of Highbury after a thrilling second-half performance by their favourites.

At half time, however, they must have feared the worst after star-studded Arsenal had torn the Wearsiders apart, and a two-goal lead hardly reflected the supremacy of a side rightly regarded as the only realistic challengers for Manchester United's Premiership title.

Indeed, but for an inspired performance by brilliant goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, Sunderland could have been five or six goals down and looking to be heading for utter humiliation.

But what a transformation after the break!

Sunderland, instead of meekly presenting themselves for the expected second-half slaughter, went at Arsenal like a side possessed - completely astonishing their opponents and onlookers alike.

It was one of the biggest transformations ever witnessed at the venerable old stadium and it was hard to believe that this was the same Sunderland which had been cut to ribbons in the first 45 minutes.

But it made for a superb cut-and-thrust encounter, with once-poised Arsenal knocked uncomfortably on the back foot as they tried to stave off the attacks of a team of terriers which, having tasted early blood through a 52nd-minute penalty from Kevin Phillips, went for the throat.

Arsenal suddenly looked vulnerable, and the team which showed they could attack with consummate ease, found themselves having to scrap and scramble - and they clearly didn't relish the experience.

Earlier on, however, it looked like men against boys as Arsenal turned on the style, slicing through the over-stretched visiting defence which looked as though it had no answer to the cut-and-thrust swashbuckling style of Thierry Henry and Kanu, prompted by the left-wing forays of Robert Pires.

Sunderland had hardly got their bearing when they found themselves a goal down through steely midfielder Patrick Vieira, who took advantage of slack marking to power home a header.

Arsenal slid into top gear and Sorensen performed heroically as he made magnificent saves from Kanu and Henry as the home side could have been four up in the opening 15 minutes.

Arsenal were so much on top it was painful to watch for the visiting fans, who must have winced every time Arsene Venger's wonders swept their way forward.

Sunderland briefly regained their composure and Phillips, fed a great ball by Stefan Schwarz, squandered a great chance on the half hour as he fired straight at goalkeeper Alex Manninger.

But it was only a brief respite as Arsenal put Sunderland on the rack again - but Sorensen stood defiant until former England full back Lee Dixon fired home a sweet right-foot shot in the 40th minute after more magic from Henry, surely one of the most talented players in the Premiership.

Arsenal trooped off wondering why they had only two goals to show for their overwhelming first half performance and they were ill-prepared psychologically for the shock which lay ahead.

Sunderland returned for the second half like demons, snapping at their opponents for every ball as the central midfield trio of Schwarz, Gavin McCann and Alex Rae took charge.

Vieira almost got away with handling in the box - the linesman certainly didn't see it - but Warwick referee Graham Barber got a glimpse of the offence to point straight to the spot in the 53rd minute. Phillips, who'd missed a penalty at Bradford four days earlier, made no mistake, rifling his shot low into the corner for his 11th strike of the season - and his first ever against boyhood idols Arsenal.

It was just the shot in the arm Sunderland needed, and the fury of their challenge intensified as Arsenal couldn't seem to regain their bearings.

And it was Vieira, who early in the game looked to be heading for the man of the match award, who again opened the door for Sunderland when he crucially lost possession on the left and McCann, seizing the opportunity, swivelled to put a curling right-foot shot on the turn out of the reach of Massinger into the top corner of the net.

It was a different contest completely then as Arsenal found themselves defending for their lives, and twice Phillips came excruciatingly close to grabbing a winner.

When the final whistle came Arsenal were the team most pleased to hear it - Sunderland would have preferred to go on for the kill