Kerr’s Chelsea prove ‘Invincibles’ without Aussie star

[Pelican Press 0]

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Kerr’s Chelsea prove ‘Invincibles’ without Aussie star

Sam Kerr’s Chelsea have joined the band of “Invincibles” in English soccer after completing their triumphant Women’s Super League season unbeaten – even without the services of their superstar striker.

At the end of a week in which Kerr and partner Kirstie Mewis announced the birth of their first child, the injured Matildas captain was absent from the club’s celebratory final league match of the season on Saturday as they capped their historic campaign with a 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Without talismanic striker Kerr, unable to play a single minute of their campaign while battling back from an ACL injury, Chelsea’s achievement, under manager Sonia Bompastor, of completing the season without a defeat in 22 matches was an extraordinary, unprecedented one.

In her first season as Chelsea coach, Frenchwoman Bompastor said: “It’s a really great achievement.

“Every game was tough, even though for some people that is difficult to believe. But even today we only find the goal in the last minute to win.”

Meanwhile across London, Arsenal, with their three Matildas Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley and unused sub Kyra Cooney-Cross, were able to enjoy a thrilling 4-3 win over Manchester United to seal second place in the standings on 48 points, 12 behind Chelsea and four clear of United (44).

In front of 46,603 fans at Emirates Stadium, goals from Chloe Kelly, Mariona Caldentey, Frida Maanum and Kim Little were enough for Arsenal, who had to endure a late fightback as United’s Elisabeth Terland and Maya Le Tissier scored in the 70th and 76th minutes.

Foord won a 50th minute penalty for the Gunners after being brought down by Grace Clinton, with Caldentey converting.

The Matildas’ trio next have a chance to finish their season with victory in the Women’s Champions League final against Barcelona on May 24 in Lisbon.

Manchester City, without the injured Mary Fowler, beat relegated Crystal Palace 5-2 to finish fourth on 43 points, while 38-year-old *********** Dario Vidosic could be proud of his debut season managing Brighton as they finished fifth on 28, despite a last-day 3-1 loss at Aston Villa.

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