Sam Kerr produced a brilliant first-half strike to earn Chelsea a 1-0 win over Manchester United in the English Women’s Super League on Sunday.
Kerr scored the winner in the 23rd minute, after twice testing United goalkeeper Mary Earps early on.
The Matildas skipper converted the third time, with Lauren James’ pinpoint pass finding Kerr who timed her run and coolly lifted her shot past Earps.
Kerr also side-footed a decent chance wide in the second half as the Blues held on to pull two points clear at the top.
“Listen, she should have had a hat-trick,” Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said. “To be fair, I’ll say that because that’s how good she is.
“We set up really well to get her into good goalscoring positions – and let’s talk about the work she does for the team defensively because everybody had to put a shift in.”
Caitlin Foord provided an assist as Arsenal boosted their Champions League qualification hopes with a 4-0 home win over Reading.
Foord laid off the pass with a nice cutback for Frida Maanum’s goal for 2-0 in the 44th minute.
Steph Catley was absent while Foord started and played 72 minutes.
Mary Fowler was a 75th minute substitute in Manchester City’s 2-1 win at Lydia Williams’ Brighton and Hove Albion.
Williams was an unused sub for the Seagulls, while Alanna Kennedy and Hayley Raso were absent for City.
Courtney Nevin and Remy Siemsen both`started for Leicester City in their 0-0 draw with Clare Wheeler’s Everton.
Nevin and Wheeler both played full games, while Siemsen played 64 minutes.
Emily Gielnik‘s Aston Villa claimed a 2-1 win at Mackenzie Arnold‘s West Ham United.
Gielnik was a 69th minute substitute, while Arnold put in a full shift in goal.
Ellie Carpenter put in a full shift at right-back as Olympique Lyon won 2-1 at Fleury in the French Feminine Division 1.
Jacynta Galabadaraachchi started and played 64 minutes as Celtic won 2-0 at Hibernian in the Scottish Women’s Premier League.
