Sam Kerr made her first appearance of the new English Women’s Super League season, coming off the bench to help Chelsea rescue a 1-1 draw away to Manchester City on Sunday.
Kerr had missed Chelsea’s opener due to a mix of injury and conditioning following a slower pre-season after her World Cup calf issues.
But the Matildas skipper was in Chelsea’s matchday squad on Sunday, coming on at half-time with the Blues down 1-0 against City, who had Alanna Kennedy and Mary Fowler in their starting line-up.
Chelsea eventually equalized in the 96th minute from Guro Reiten, before Kerr almost snatched all three points.
Kerr headed an effort which looped on to the outside of the post deep into stoppage time, for what would’ve almost certainly been the winner.
Kennedy put in a full shift for City, while Fowler was replaced at half-time after the hosts were reduced to 10 players in the 38th minute forcing a tactical re-shuffle. The send-off was controversial with Alex Greenwood given a second booking for time-wasting when taking a free-kick.
Steph Catley provided an assist for Arsenal’s opening goal in their 2-2 draw at Manchester United on Saturday.
Catley released Stina Blackstenius into space down the left flank in the 14th minute, with the Swedish forward racing into the box to score. Catley also came close to scoring herself, cutting in from the left wing and forcing a sharp block from United keeper Mary Earps.
Caitlin Foord came on in the 59th minute and, after United scored twice to claim the lead, thought she’d set up an equaliser for Frida Maanum who netted but was offside.
Kyra Cooney-Cross was an unused sub after debuting briefly in the opening weekend as an 85th minute substitute.
Charlize Rule was a 57th minute sub for the Seagulls, while Mackenzie Hawkesby was unused on the bench.
Courtney Nevin started and played 70 minutes in Leicester City’s 1-0 victory over Clare Wheeler’s Everton. The win means the Foxes go top of the table. Wheeler was an 88th minute sub. Remy Siemsen was absent with an ankle injury.
Mackenzie Arnold kept a clean sheet as West Ham United won 2-0 away to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
Arnold made a good save late in the first half, denying Pauline Bremer’s powerful shot after the Hammers had taken an early lead.
Teagan Micah was left on the bench with Rachael Laws preferred for Liverpool in a 2-0 home win over Aston Villa which sees the Reds sit second of the table.
In France’s Feminine Division 1, Ellie Carpenter played a full game as Olympique Lyon won 4-0 over Bordeaux on Sunday. Clare Hunt wasn’t in the PSG squad for their 1-0 win at St Etienne on Friday.
In Sweden’s Damallsvenskan, Clare Polkinghorne, Charlotte Grant and Katrina Gorry all played full games as Vittsjo drew 1-1 at Hacken on Saturday.
Amy Sayer started and played 93 minutes in Kristianstad’s 2-1 win at Hammarby. Chelsie Dawber started and played 78 minutes as Norrkoping won 3-0 over Kalmar.
In Denmark’s Kvindeliga, Winonah Heatley played a full game as Nordsjaelland defeated Thy ThistedQ 3-0 on Saturday.
In USA’s NWSL, Emily van Egmond put in a full shift as San Diego Wave slipped from top spot after a 0-0 draw at third-placed North Carolina Courage.
In Spain’s Primera Division Femenina, Hayley Raso started and played 62 minutes as Real Madrid scored a late winner to beat Villarreal 1-0 to sit second on the table, equal on points with leaders Barcelona.
The victory came only days after Raso netted her first goal for Real in a 5-1 midweek win over Real Betis.
