Ian Chadband
Sam Kerr has put a glorious seal on her pierless Chelsea career, scoring a virtuoso winning goal against Manchester United in her final match to leave as the clubโs joint all-time top scorer.
On an emotional day at Stamford Bridge โ which had become โSamford Bridgeโ for one final Saturday โ the Matildas skipper hammered home a fabulous volley in the 34th minute, her 116th goal for the club to match the all-time record of her former strike partner Fran Kirby.
She could even have broken the record, blazing one over in the 89th minute of Chelseaโs 1-0 Womenโs Super League win, before coming off to a standing ovation all around the ground in stoppage time โ even from United fans and players โ as everyone saluted her 158th and final match for the Blues.
It was a fitting end to the 32-year-oldโs stellar six-and-a-half year career for the London giants, having won five WSL titles, three FA Cups and three League Cups, as well as twice being crowned golden boot winner as the WSL top scorer.
Her English teammate Millie Bright, a 20-trophy veteran with Chelsea, was marking her farewell too, with the pair being given a guard of honour.
โIt was an amazing day, kind of fitting to play against Man United, a team Iโve scored so many of my favourite goals against, and to score one like that today was awesome,โ said Kerr, whoโs expected to announce sheโll be continuing her career in the NWSL in the US.
โItโs also fitting I end level with Fran after we played some pretty good football together. But I mean, every goal to me for this club is special, I enjoyed every minute today.
โItโs just, honestly, the biggest honour to play for this club, and I have so many amazing memories which Iโll carry with me forever.โ
She appeared with her one-year-old son Jagger in front of the cheering fans. โHeโs born in Chelsea, so itโs kind of cute, and a nice little finish, but it was special to walk out with him and have my family here. A really sad day, but happy day, I guess,โ she smiled.
โItโs going to be hard to leave, but Iโve only good things to say about the club and the people here.โ
Kerr then took the microphone. โThank you to everyone who Iโve played with since Iโve been representing you guys,โ she told them.
โWeek in, week out, every single minute for you guys. Iโve had some great personal memories both on and off the pitch, so thank you to all of you. Hopefully, you support me wherever I go.โ
Her send-off present to them, that instinctive and deadly first-time goal lashed in at the near post from a Lauren James cross, was enough to earn the victory that ensured Chelsea finished third in the table and sealed a place in the Champions League qualifiers next season.
But the deposed champions finished behind Arsenal, who sealed second place with their 3-1 win at Liverpool, and champions Manchester City, who won 4-1 at West Ham, for whom another favourite Matilda, Katrina Gorry, played her final game.
