Lucy Bronze and Lauren Hemp scored in a 2-1 win in Sunderland.
England defender Jess Carter lamented how short a break many of the squad are having from the gruelling international schedule as they returned to action just a month after the crushing disappointment of their World Cup final defeat.
Arsenal host Spurs at the Emirates on Sunday in the biggest game of the Premier League season so far between two sides who remain unbeaten after five games of the new campaign.