Sam Kerr returns to WSL with a double as Chelsea hammers Everton 4-0
Sam Kerr has been voted runner-up for The Best FIFA Women's Playerof the Year award for 2021. Photo: AAP
Sam Kerr has signalled her intentions of again being the leading scorer in the Women’s Super League this season with a double in Chelsea’s 4-0 hammering of Everton.
The champions, recovering from their false start to the season when they lost at Arsenal the previous weekend, were in ruthless mood on Sunday back at their Kingsmeadow base as Matildas captain Kerr struck twice in the second half.
Last season’s Golden Boot winner could hardly have enjoyed two more different goals, the first coming as an absolute gift from an Everton defender and the second being a perfect demonstration of the Australian striker’s aerial prowess.
Kerr, who became the all-time leading Australian international scorer by taking her tally to 48 at the Olympics, had a rare day of not getting on the scoresheet when she came on as a sub in the 3-2 defeat at Arsenal in Chelsea’s opening game.
Off the mark for @SamKerr1! 🙌#CFCW pic.twitter.com/0bUXgYn2aE
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) September 12, 2021
But last season’s WSL top scorer with 21 goals in 22 games found herself back in the starting line-up on Sunday and could hardly believe her luck at the ease with which she got off the mark for the season.
She slotted home her first in the 47th minute when Megan Finnegan absent-mindedly passed the ball across goal trying to find her goalkeeper, only to stroke it straight into Kerr’s path.
All Kerr had to do was roll the ball into an empty net to put Chelsea, which was already one up through her strike partner Fran Kirby’s superb first-half goal, in complete control.
https://twitter.com/NenyeChelsea/status/1437047568949723140
Kerr’s execution of Chelsea’s third goal in the 74th minute, a clinical finish from Reiten’s cross from the left, was masterful, demonstrating why she’s surely the best header of the ball in the women’s game.
She was brought off soon after her goal by manager Emma Hayes but Chelsea wasn’t done as Beth England came on to seal the Blues’ win with a fourth, slotting in a rebound after Erin Cuthbert’s shot had come off the woodwork.
-AAP
