Sam Kerr continued her goal scoring form on her return to Chelsea in their 4-3 victory over Aston Villa in the English Women’s Super League on Saturday.
Kerr made it 1-1 in the 20th minute with a left-foot strike which was too hot for the Villa keeper to handle after getting in behind the defence.
Kerr thought she won a penalty for Chelsea at 3-3 when hauled down by the Villa keeper but was denied for offside.
But the Matildas superstar got the assist for the winner after Ellie Carpenter won the ball back, with Sjoeke Nusken curling home in the 82nd minute.
Kerr and Carpenter both played the full game.
Kerr was rated 7/10 by Goal.com, who wrote: “Recorded her first WSL goal since November and third of the season – with a smart finish further highlighting what she is capable of when given the right service – and teed up Nusken’s winner.”
Carpenter was rated 5/10: “Did her best to push forward and provide overlap runs down the right, but was unable to make a telling contribution going forward and was left out of position in defence.”
Caitlin Foord also netted on her return to club football in Arsenal’s 5-2 win over Tottenham on Saturday.
Foord came off the bench at half-time and scored in the 61st minute to put the Gunners 4-1 up, rifling home on her right foot after cushioning down a deep cross.
Steph Catley put in a full shift for Arsenal while Kyra Cooney-Cross was absent as she builds up match fitness. Clare Hunt missed for Spurs with a knee complaint.
Foord earned an 8/10 rating from Goal.com, who wrote: “Replaced Smith for the second half. Scored her first WSL goal since September 12, ending a drought lasting 12 games.”
Catley was rated 7/10: “Similarly impressive in ensuring Spurs had little to shout about in the final third, at least from open play.”
Mary Fowler was an 86th minute sub for leaders Manchester City in their 3-0 win at Manchester United as they hone in on the title.
Clare Wheeler was also an 86th minute substitute for Everton who went down 3-2 to struggling rivals Liverpool.
Katrina Gorry started and played the first half in West Ham’s 1-1 draw with London City Lionesses, for whom Alanna Kennedy was a 67th minute substitute.
Emily van Egmond and Charlie Rule were both unused substitutes in Brighton’s 1-0 win at Leicester City.
In WSL2, Kaitlin Torpey was a 46th minute substitute for Newcastle in a Tyne-Wear derby 1-1 draw with Sunderland. Alana Murphy put in a full shift for Nottingham Forest in a 2-1 win over Durham.
In Sweden’s Damallsvenskan, Amy Sayer returned to Malmo with a goal in their 3-0 win over Uppsala.
Sayer started on the bench on her return to Sweden but was drafted into the game into the 31st minute. The Matildas forward scored her side’s second goal in the 63rd minute.
Courtney Nevin was an 88th minute sub for Malmo, while Remy Siemsen played 86 minutes in Rosengard’s 3-1 loss at Hammarby.
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In Germany’s Frauen-Bundesliga, Hayley Raso was absent for Eintracht Frankfurt’s 2-1 triumph at Koln, while Jamilla Rankin was an 88th minute sub for Hoffenheim in a 2-1 win at Freiburg.
In the Coppa Italia Women semi-finals, Wini Heatley was a 78th minute substitute in AS Roma’s 2-1 triumph at Inter Milan which secured a 3-2 aggregate victory.
In USA’s NWSL, Mackenzie Arnold played the full game in Portland Thorns’ 2-0 win over Kansas City Current, while Cortnee Vine went unused for North Carolina Courage in their 3-1 loss to Bay FC.
