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'Phenomenal': Kerr romps to major award after her goal-a-game season

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29th April, 2022
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Sam Kerr has been crowned English football’s woman player of the year – and Chelsea manager Emma Hayes reckons no-one comes close to matching her Australian ace.

The Matildas captain won a huge 40 per cent of the vote in the Football Writers’ Association’s poll to find the best player in the Women’s Super League.

With her 18 goals and four assists from 18 WSL games, there could never be any real argument about Kerr deserving the award as, among the 274 players in the league, she’s the only one to have more goal involvements than games played.

The 28-year-old’s latest accolade was preceded by a warm tribute from Hayes, who had been again grateful for Kerr’s predatory instincts on Thursday with her winning header against Tottenham that pushed Chelsea closer to successfully defending their title.

Sam Kerr of Chelsea Women scores her side's first goal during the FA Women's Continental Tyres League cup final match between Chelsea women and Manchester City women at The Cherry Red Records Stadium on March 05, 2022 in Wimbledon, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

 (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

“She’s such a top player, in every way,” said Hayes after the 2-1 home win.

“You go and look at her all-around stats as a centre forward and no-one comes close to her in this league – maybe worldwide.

“She works her socks off, she has the contribution to team goals, and there’s her own goalscoring record. Her work rate is phenomenal.”

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Almost certain to win the Golden Boot as the WSL top scorer for a second straight season as her next individual honour, the consummate team player is still more concerned about firing Chelsea to another title.

Her goal on Thursday was the seventh straight WSL match in which she’s scored and if she finds the target in the last two games of the season, she’ll equal teammate Beth England’s record of nine in a row.

But she was only interested in helping Chelsea win their final two matches – at Birmingham on Sunday and at home to Manchester United the following week – which will guarantee a third straight title for the Blues.

“There are two games to go and we’re just going to grind through,” Kerr told Sky Sports after her latest crucial contribution at Chelsea’s Kingsmeadow home. “Get all six points and we’re champions.”

© AAP

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