Matildas captain Sam Kerr made her first start of the new England Women’s Super League season and scored her first goal of the campaign as Chelsea triumphed against Mackenzie Arnold’s West Ham United 2-0 on Saturday.
Sam Kerr headed Chelsea’s opening goal in the 36th minute, her 11th goal in seven games against West Ham, after Fran Kirby released Niamh Charles to cross from the left side of the box.
The Matildas skipper did the rest, with Charles’ delivery finding her unmarked at the back post, with Kerr directing header back across Hammers goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold and into the back of the net.
Kerr had Kerr nodded wide an early chance from Lauren James’ cross-cum-shot, while Arnold made an excellent save late in the first half from James’ one-on-one opportunity.
Kerr was replaced in the 78th minute before Arnold was beaten for a second time in the 90th minute, with Erin Cuthbert working a neat one-two before slotting home.
On Sunday, Mary Fowler provided two expert assists as Manchester City eased past newly promoted Bristol City 5-0.
Fowler put in a full shift, playing out wide on both flanks, delivering an inch-perfect left-foot cross from the right flank for Khalifa Shaw’s 38th minute header for 3-0.
Fowler again put the ball in a dangerous spot with a left-foot diagonal cross for Jill Roord to beat Alanna Kennedy to winning the header for City’s fourth goal. Kennedy also put in a full shift.
Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley both played full games as Arsenal fought back from behind to win 2-1 over Aston Villa. Kyra Cooney-Cross was an unused sub.
Clare Wheeler came on in the third minute following an injury to a teammate as Everton won 1-0 at Merseyside rivals Liverpool. Teagan Micah was unused for the Reds.
Courtney Nevin played the full 90 minutes as Leicester City drew 1-1 at Manchester United, while Charlize Rule put in a full shift as Brighton & Hove Albion went down 3-1 to Tottenham. Mackenzie Hawkesby was unused.
Elsewhere in Europe on Saturday, Ellie Carpenter started but was replaced at half-time with Olympique Lyon 4-0 up as they cruised past St Etienne 6-0 in the French Feminine Division 1.
Clare Hunt’s PSG had their game with Reims abandoned, with the Australian defender not involved.
Hunt had made her PSG debut in midweek as an 17th minute substitute as they drew 1-1 at Manchester United in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League qualifying round tie. The second leg in Paris is scheduled for Wednesday, with the winner to progress to the group stage.
⏱ 17' – Oriane Jean-François sort sur civière. Clare Hunt la remplace.@Oriane_JF ❤️💙
Suivez la rencontre en direct sur https://t.co/33k1TYNsU3 Premium (France uniquement) – https://t.co/nndMNntWbD#MUNPSG 0-0 I #UWCL
— PSG Féminines (@PSG_Feminines) October 10, 2023
Hayley Raso’s Real Madrid are also in the midst of qualifying, beating Norwegian club Valerenga 2-1 at home in midweek with the Matildas winger coming on as an 85th minute substitute.
Raso also started and played 57 minutes in the Spanish Primera Division Feminina as Real won 5-2 away to Granada on Saturday.
Aivi Luik was back in the BK Hacken squad following injury but remained unused as they won 4-0 over Brommakpojkarna in the Swedish Damallsvenskan on Saturday.
Luik’s Hacken are also attempting to qualify for the Champions League, drawing 2-2 at home with Dutch club Twente in their first leg last week. Luik returned from injury as a 65th minute sub in that game.
Elsewhere in the Damallsvenskan on Sunday, Clare Polkinghorne and Charlotte Grant played full games, with Katrina Gorry absent, as Vittsjo lost 1-0 at Pitea.
Amy Sayer, fresh from her Matildas call-up, scored an 88th minute goal as Kristianstad beat Orebro 2-0. Sayer started and played 90 minutes in the win.
Amy Sayer has scored her first goal for Kristianstads DFF. Great work, Amy! 👏
Video: Football is everywhere magazine pic.twitter.com/XgBoQIQNWE
— Alex (@alexlucas1993) October 15, 2023
Larissa Crummer was a 67th minute substitute for Brann as they won 4-0 at Arna-Bjornar in the Norwegian Toppserien on Saturday.
Crummer’s Brann won 4-0 away to Scottish champions Glasgow City in Champions League qualifying last week too.
In the USA’s NWSL, Emily van Egmond put in a full shift as San Diego Wave beat Racing Louisville 2-0 to clinch the NWSL Shield on a dramatic final day of the regular season as leaders Portland Thorns lost 5-1 at Angel City. The NWSL now enters the playoffs with the Wave going in as top seed.
TOP OF THE LEAGUE BABY 🌊 pic.twitter.com/0q3DmfR9iP
— x – San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) October 15, 2023
