For more than an hour at Wembley, Sam Kerr had fed on leftovers, chasing lost causes and long balls, as Manchester United dominated the final of the English Women’s FA Cup.
Then, finally, Chelsea broke through the red wall of defenders. As Pernille Harder crumbled down the right, Kerr swung wide into space, anticipated the cross and stabbed it past FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year Mary Earps.
It was Kerr’s fifth goal in three FA Cup finals and his 10th in six domestic finals for Chelsea, celebrated with his signature backflip.
It also happened to be the only goal of Sunday’s game. A week after carrying the Australian flag to the King’s coronation, Kerr had carried Chelsea to another crown.
It was also a royal occasion, with Prince William among the 77,390 people in attendance, a world record for a women’s club game. An Aston Villa fan, he must have been disappointed when Chelsea beat Villa in the semi-finals (Kerr scored the only goal, of course), but hid it well.
Australian star Sam Kerr led Chelsea to their third consecutive Women’s FA Cup, scoring the game’s only goal against Manchester United in front of a world record crowd at Wembley
Kerr celebrated his goal with his signature backflip – it was the superstar’s fifth goal in three FA Cup finals and his 10th in six domestic finals with Chelsea
Prince William was just one of many impressed with Sam Kerr’s performance on Monday
“We didn’t have our best game today, but that’s the sign of a great team when you push hard,” Kerr said. “Everyone did their part and we stuck to it and ended up winning.
Kerr added that he had been named player of the game: “I don’t deserve this. There are far more deserving people than me today, but I’ll take it on behalf of the team.
“I’ve never coached a player like Sam Kerr,” said Chelsea manager Emma Hayes, who has worked with some of the biggest players in the world including Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd and Kelly Smith.
“She has such conviction, such courage, the way she attacks everything. I like the fact that she is ready to take on her responsibilities at the top of the pitch.
The encounter almost got off to a sensational start, with Manchester United having the ball in Chelsea’s net after 16 seconds through Leah Galton. But Ella Toone had run offside as she broke the right before delivering the cross converted by Galton.
However, the ‘goal’ settled United who were playing their first final and, in most cases, making their first appearance at Wembley.
They continued to control the first half as Chelsea struggled to provide a serve for Kerr.
Chelsea keeper Ann-Katrin Berger had to recover a deflected shot from Millie Turner, Nikita Parris was fouled within fractions of the box and Galton and Alessia Russo had chances.
Still, Chelsea would have led at the break if Earps didn’t hit a 41st-minute header from Lauren James on the post.
The Aussie was named Player of the Match but insisted she didn’t deserve the honor
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes says she has never coached a player like Sam Kerr
The thrilling sold-out final surpassed the previous record for a women’s national match of over 17,000, with 77,390 in attendance
In theory, Kerr led the line with support from Canadian Jessie Fleming, 79 days before the duo face off in Melbourne at the Women’s World Cup.
But United’s odd midfield meant the combination never worked and, shortly before the hour mark, Harder came on for Fleming.
Almost immediately Kerr, freed by the first touch of fellow substitute Sophie Ingle, pushed Maya Le Tissier aside and crossed for Harder but the Dane was unable to shoot fast enough or hard enough.
Nine minutes later, the roles were reversed. Harder’s cross was perfect, as was Kerr’s finishing, and Chelsea were on course for their third consecutive FA Cup triumph.
United forced a few shoves in the goalmouth as they searched for a leveler, but had no one with Kerr’s finishing touch.
