Sam Kerr’s Frustrating Return Continues: Chelsea Star Struck on Bench Again in Draw with Manchester United
- Sam Kerr’s carefully managed return to action means she’s been relegated to just a bit part for Chelsea, coming off the bench late for the fourth consecutive match.
- The Australian skipper has now played a mere 91 minutes in four matches since her return, scoring just one goal in stoppage time of her first game back against Aston Villa.
- Chelsea’s title defence has hit a roadblock, with the team held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United, marking their first dropped points of the campaign.
Sam Kerr’s return to action has been a frustrating one, with the Australian skipper stuck on the bench again as Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United in the Women’s Super League.
In a move that’s becoming all too familiar, Kerr was brought on in the 77th minute, marking the fourth consecutive match she’s come off the bench late since her return. Despite her limited game time, Kerr’s busy presence helped give Chelsea some much-needed impetus in an even contest.
However, Kerr’s 17 minutes on the pitch were not enough to salvage a win for Chelsea, with the team now leading the table on 13 points, ahead of United on 11. United’s Anna Sandberg scored a blistering goal to earn her team a deserved point, cancelling out Chelsea’s beautifully worked opener in the ninth minute.
“I wouldn’t say it was satisfying, but it’s a tough place to come,” said Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor. “We tried to find the winner in the last 30 minutes, and I think the players that came in did well, they brought energy and opportunities. But 1-1 was maybe a fair result.”
Kerr’s limited playing time has been a topic of discussion, with the Australian skipper having played a mere 91 minutes in four matches since her return, scoring just one goal in stoppage time of her first game back against Aston Villa. Despite this, Bompastor was happy with Kerr’s contribution, as well as that of her other substitutes brought on late.
Chelsea’s title defence has hit a roadblock, but Bompastor is refusing to get too down about the draw. “We tried to find the winner, and I think we did well,” she said. “It’s a tough place to come, and 1-1 was maybe a fair result.”