Chelsea star Sam Kerr made a dream return to action after a 634-day injury layoff, scoring her 100th goal for the club in a 3-1 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park.
The Australian forward, who ruptured her ACL in January 2024, came off the bench in the final 15 minutes and wasted no time making her mark. In stoppage time, Kerr pounced inside the six-yard box to seal victory for the reigning champions, capping off an emotional comeback.
“It means everything,” Kerr said post-match. “To score 100 goals for any club is amazing, but to do it for a club like Chelsea is incredible. I’m really proud of it and don’t take it lightly.”
Earlier, Aggie Beever-Jones gave Chelsea the lead with a 22nd-minute header before Ebony Salmon equalised for Villa with a superb curling strike. The Blues regained control in the second half when Missy Bo Kearns deflected a wayward Keira Walsh shot into her own net, before Kerr wrapped things up in injury time.
The victory leaves Chelsea third in the WSL table, behind Arsenal and Manchester United on goal difference after two matches played. Alyssa Thompson, signed from Angel City on Deadline Day, also made her Chelsea debut off the bench.
Elsewhere, United cruised past London City Lionesses with a 5-0 win, while Arsenal swept aside West Ham 5-1 despite a goalkeeping error gifting the Hammers an early lead.
With Kerr back firing, Chelsea look ready to mount another serious title challenge.
