Australia’s Sam Kerr shot off a winner that sends Chelsea to the Women’s FA Cup final against Manchester United following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.
Her latest demonstration of striking brilliance comes less than a week after she helped the Matildas to a sensational 2-0 triumph over England.
Kerr scored the only goal of the semi-final clash on Sunday just before the hour mark as the Blues remained on course to win the competition for a third straight season.
Emma Hayes’ side were the pre-match favourites to book their spot in the showpiece against United at Wembley on May 14.
But Villa, in the last four of the FA Cup for the first time, did not make it easy for Chelsea at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium, and they might have taken an early lead only for Rachel Daly’s shot to be thwarted by Magdalena Eriksson.
Despite stamping their authority on the match, Villa failed to create enough clear-cut chances, and the holders made their opponents pay with 59 minutes gone.
Kerr headed home Guro Reiten’s cross to claim her 24th goal of the season and hand Chelsea the advantage.
Alisha Lehmann missed two opportunities to pull Villa level before Sarah Mayling struck a post in the closing moments.
But Chelsea, who face Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Champions League and are firmly in the hunt for the Women’s Super League title, held on in front of a crowd of more than 5000 to reach the final and keep their treble aspirations alive.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Is their crowd average actually 25k, they had some big crowds at the mens stadiums their regular stadium is tiny and same for Chelsea. How many games have Arsenal had at the mens stadiums if the regular stadium is 5k they would need to play at the mens every other week and that hasnt matched the highlights I have watched.
Simoc
Roar Rookie
At midway through the season Arsenal womens average crowd was 25k, so much higher than Chelseas. Despite their great success and having some all-time greats like Kerr they don't seem to have the following.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Hardly perfect delivery slight behind Kerr and too high. Chelsea are hardly a super team it seems , they are being outplayed by their rivals and rely on Kerrs heading ability to jag 1-0 wins. Giving your striker some tap ins would illustrate your a good team not this.