In a thrilling Women’s Super League encounter, Chelsea Women defeated West Ham with a score of 2-0, and it was none other than the incredible Sam Kerr who stole the spotlight. Kerr, who has a history of tormenting West Ham, once again proved her prowess, this time scoring her first goal of the season. She’s been a constant thorn in the side of West Ham, having been involved in eight WSL goals against them – a magnificent tally of seven goals and one assist.
The match was filled with excitement, but Kerr’s moment came in the 36th minute. After having a goal ruled out for offside, the Australian striker found herself unmarked at the back post. With impeccable timing, she soared into the air, connecting with a precision cross from Niamh Charles. It’s worth noting that Charles was set up beautifully by the England forward Fran Kirby, who made her first start since February after recovering from a knee injury that had kept her out of the Women’s World Cup.
Lauren James had a golden opportunity to double Chelsea’s lead, courtesy of another superb pass from Kirby, but the Hammers’ goalkeeper, Mackenzie Arnold, denied her with a fantastic save using her legs. However, in the final minute of added time, substitute Erin Cuthbert sealed the deal for Chelsea with a low shot.
This victory extended Chelsea’s remarkable home run to 17 successive wins in the Women’s Super League. It’s a streak that dates back to February 2022 when they last dropped points at either Kingsmeadow or Stamford Bridge in a goalless draw against Arsenal.
For West Ham, the struggle against Chelsea in the WSL continued, as they haven’t beaten the Blues in their 11 meetings. But they did have their chances, with Emma Harries firing off target, Viviane Asseyi heading wide, Riko Ueki’s effort deflected behind, and Kirsty Smith’s shot being tipped over by Chelsea’s goalkeeper Zecira Musovic.
At the start of the day, Chelsea was fifth in the WSL standings, but with this win, they climbed to the top, albeit temporarily, as the four teams above them – Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United – are all scheduled to play soon. Nevertheless, manager Emma Hayes will be delighted with their unbeaten start to the title defense.
The return of Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby to the starting lineup was a significant highlight. Both players had been sidelined with injuries, and Hayes had emphasized the need to be cautious with their returns. However, with other key players like Mia Fishel and Guro Reiten also out due to injuries, Kerr and Kirby’s contributions were vital.
Kerr, who had been dealing with a calf injury, missed the opening two matches but returned to score against England in the Women’s World Cup. She was a constant threat in the match against West Ham before scoring her 55th goal in 69 WSL games.
As for Kirby, her knee injury had been a persistent issue that required surgery, keeping her out of action for nearly eight months. Her performance in this match showcased her clever passing and ability to unlock the opposition’s defense.
All in all, it was a thrilling contest that saw Chelsea Women rise to the top of the Women’s Super League, and with Kerr and Kirby back in the fold, they look poised to make a strong title defense. The WSL is in for an exciting season with this powerhouse team at the forefront.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Keyword: Sam Kerr WSL goal
Q: Who scored the first goal in the Chelsea Women vs. West Ham match?
A: Sam Kerr, the Australian striker, scored the first goal of the season for Chelsea Women in their match against West Ham.
Q: How did Sam Kerr’s goal come about?
A: Kerr’s goal came in the 36th minute, where she was left unmarked at the back post and headed in a precise cross from Niamh Charles, with the assist provided by Fran Kirby.
Q: Did West Ham have any chances to equalize in the match?
A: Yes, West Ham had several opportunities to equalize, with players like Emma Harries and Viviane Asseyi having attempts on goal, but Chelsea’s goalkeeper Zecira Musovic made crucial saves.
Q: Who secured the three points for Chelsea with a goal in added time?
A: Substitute Erin Cuthbert scored the final goal of the match in the first minute of added time, ensuring Chelsea’s 2-0 victory.
Q: What is Chelsea Women’s recent home record in the Women’s Super League?
A: Chelsea Women extended their incredible home run with this win, marking their 17th successive victory in the Women’s Super League at Kingsmeadow and Stamford Bridge.
Q: How long had it been since Fran Kirby’s last start for Chelsea?
A: Fran Kirby had not made a start for Chelsea since February due to a knee injury that ruled her out of action for nearly eight months.
Q: What impact did the return of Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby have on the match?
A: The return of Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby to the starting lineup proved to be pivotal for Chelsea, with both players delivering excellent performances and contributing significantly to the team’s success.
More about Keyword: Sam Kerr WSL goal
- BBC Sport: Chelsea Women 2-0 West Ham
- Official Women’s Super League Website
- Chelsea FC Women’s Team
- West Ham United Women’s Team
1 comment
Wait, this article’s ’bout soccer, right? Not sure why it’s here, but congrats to Chelsea, I guess.