SUNDERLAND are so bad that their 6ft 3in centre-forward cannot even win a header against a 5ft 8in left-back.

If one needed a vignette to sum up why this is the worst team in Sunderland's history, then surely the sight yesterday of Kevin Kyle beaten in the air by Ashley Cole as the two jumped together was it.

All over the pitch, the gulf in class between Sunderland and Arsenal was as great as the 18 Premiership places and 59 points that divide them at the end of this season.

It was apt that Kevin Phillips and Thomas Sorensen departed to rapturous applause from their supporters after saying goodbye to the Stadium of Light.

They were the last two players to depart the arena. Phillips handed his boots to a fan; Sorensen threw his shirt and gloves into the crowd.

They have given sterling service to Sunderland in recent times. But they won't play for the club again.

Phillips and Sorensen deserve lead roles in a new TV reality programme: I'm a Sunderland player - get me out of here!

A minute before the duo's exit, their teammates had trudged down the tunnel to fearful abuse as nine months of hurt came pouring out of angry Sunderland fans.

Phillips and Sorensen are in a select band of Sunderland players who can hold their heads high after this shameful season.

Captain Michael Gray, who has played for the club for more than a decade, was again booed by a significant section of home supporters during yesterday's game.

But there were jeers aimed at the whole side as they and Mick McCarthy assembled in the centre circle before acknowledging their fans.

The man on the Stadium of Light PA system described the season as "difficult". Surely the word he was looking for was catastrophic.

Arsenal's players were feted by the same Sunderland supporters who turned on their own team.

Perhaps they were enjoying the chance to watch true masters of their art in action while they had the chance, for they will see nothing like the aristocrats of Arsenal in the Nationwide League next season.

Freddie Ljungberg's hat-trick was the high point of an afternoon when a strong wind blew litter across the Stadium of Light pitch.

The crisp bags and chocolate wrappers weren't the only rubbish on view.

Sean Thornton had a day when nothing went right, and his withdrawal at half-time was a compassionate decision by McCarthy.

Thierry Henry scored the first goal and set up the other three, all despatched with ease by Ljungberg as he proved his fitness before Saturday's FA Cup final against Southmapton.

Sunderland, on the other hand, were so inept that they were fortunate to score nil. David Seaman can rarely have had such a trouble-free afternoon.

Arsenal took just six minutes, 25 seconds to take the lead, and it came following a shocking mistake from Thornton.

He somehow managed to play a ten-yard pass straight to Dennis Bergkamp midway inside his own half.

Bergkamp received the gift gratefully, and his pass released Henry as the France striker darted in between Joachim Bjorklund and Jody Craddock.

He clipped his shot over a helpless Sorensen, and Arsenal had established an iron grip on a game that they never relinquished.

Shortly afterwards, Bergkamp struck a post after fastening on to Henry's cross. It was a temporary reprieve.

Like a cat toying with a cornered bird, Arsenal were waiting for their moment to pounce. It came in the 39th minute as they scored a wonderful goal.

Henry robbed Thornton, and after galloping into the Sunderland penalty area he played a measured centre into the path of Ljungberg.

As Sorensen tried to close down the Swede, he lifted the ball beyond the goalkeeper, and the home fans showed their admiration.

It was like an exhibition game at times, but those are normally more even contests.

Sunderland briefly threatened a comeback as Kevin Kilbane was denied by a sprawling Seaman, but normal service was soon resumed.

Sorensen stopped Arsenal from moving further in front, saving from Robert Pires and Henry as well as stopping Kyle turning the ball into his own net.

But the Gunners wanted to finish with a real flourish, and after beating Southampton 6-1 on Wednesday they made it a perfect ten goals in five days.

On 77 minutes, Henry ran at Sunderland's bedraggled defence again before teeing up Ljungberg, who waited for Sorensen to commit himself before slotting home.

There was still time for a fourth, and for Ljungberg to score Arsenal's third hat-trick of the week after Pires and Jermaine Pennant's trebles against the Saints.

Henry, again, took the supporting role. Ljungberg took his weighted pass in his stride, stepped inside George McCartney, and finished past Sorensen.

As time ticked away, Sorensen foiled Henry and Kanu. One dreads to think what the score would have been had the goalkeeper not been on top of his game.

Result: Sunderland 0 Arsenal 4.

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