Sam Kerr has put a glorious seal on her Chelsea career, scoring a virtuoso winning goal against Manchester United in her final match to leave as the club’s joint top scorer.
On an emotional day at Stamford Bridge, which had become ‘Samford Bridge’ for one final Saturday, the Matildas skipper hammered home a fabulous volley in the 34th minute, her 115th 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 Chelsea’s 1-0 win, before coming off to a standing ovation all around the ground in stoppage time — even from United fans and players — as everyone saluted her 158th and final match for the Blues.
It was a fitting end to the 32-year-old’s stellar six-and-a-half-year career for the London giants, having won five Women’s Super League titles, three FA Cups and three League Cups, as well as twice being crowned golden boot winner as the WSL top scorer.
English teammate Millie Bright, a 20-trophy veteran with Chelsea, was marking her farewell too, with the pair given a guard of honour.
“It was an amazing day, kind of fitting to play against Man United, a team I’ve scored so many of my favourite goals against, and to score one like that today was awesome,” said Kerr, who is expected to announce she will be continuing her career in the NWSL in the US, where wife Kristie Mewis hails from.
“It’s 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.
Kerr’s final goal for Chelsea was a cracker. (Getty Images: Leila Coker/WSL)
“It’s just, honestly, the biggest honour to play for this club, and I have so many amazing memories which I’ll carry with me forever.”
She appeared with her one-year-old son Jagger in front of the cheering fans.
“He’s born in Chelsea, so it’s 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,” she said.
“It’s going to be hard to leave, but I’ve only good things to say about the club and the people here.”
Kerr then took the microphone to address the fans.
“‘Thank you to everyone who I’ve played with since I’ve been representing you guys,’ she said.
“Week in, week out, every single minute for you guys. I’ve 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.”
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.
AAP
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