SAM KERR SAVES THE DAY! Matildas superstar turns the game on its head as Chelsea romp to 3-0 victory after shock benching
- Kerr benched AGAIN by Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor, despite being fully fit after knee injury
- Matildas star makes INSTANT impact as a substitute, leading Chelsea to crushing win over Brighton
- Kerr’s team now six points behind league leaders Manchester City, with a crucial winter break ahead
Sam Kerr’s patience was tested once more as she was left to warm the bench for Chelsea, but the Matildas superstar proved her worth yet again as a second-half substitute, inspiring a stunning 3-0 victory over Brighton.
In a move that raised eyebrows, Kerr was benched for the second time in as many weeks, with Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor opting to start with Aggie Beever-Jones up front. But the decision backfired as the champions struggled to find their rhythm in the first 45 minutes, with only a sublime solo effort from French fullback Sandy Baltimore giving them a narrow lead at the break.
Enter Kerr, who was finally unleashed in the second half, and her presence was like a shot of adrenaline to Chelsea’s attack. The 32-year-old brought a physicality and directness that was missing in the first half, and her link-up play with Wieke Kaptein was a game-changer as the Blues romped to a 3-0 win.
Despite not finding the back of the net herself, Kerr’s influence was instrumental in Chelsea’s victory, with her rasping shot and diving header forcing Brighton keeper Sophie Baggaley into a series of spectacular saves. It was a frustrating outcome for Kerr, who has now scored just four goals in 16 matches for club and country since her return from an ACL injury in September.
Chelsea’s win keeps them in the hunt for a seventh consecutive league title, albeit six points behind leaders Manchester City, who thumped Aston Villa 6-1 on the back of a four-goal haul from Jamaican star Khadija Shaw. The Blues will need Kerr at her best if they’re to bridge the gap when the season resumes after the winter break.
In other WSL action, West Ham’s Australian captain Katrina Gorry was left ruing a missed chance late on as her side drew 2-2 with Liverpool, who remain rooted to the bottom of the table on three points. The Hammers, meanwhile, sit a place above on five points.