FA Cup: Kerr milestone gives Chelsea boost into quarter-finals.
Chelsea had reached the quarter-finals of the Women FA Cup with an extra-time goal deciding a dramatic 2-1 victory over Manchester United and Sam Kerr made a significant personal milestone in the right kind of fashion.
They made the holders work towards their own advancement in a contest which was a close contest up to 90 minutes until finally goals by Sam Kerr and Naomi Girma parted the sides and ensured the Chelsea passage through the Women FA Cup.
Chelsea established the pace early, with continued pressure and frequent threatening set pieces but the defence of United was resolute with a series of last-ditch interventions. The Blues dominated the long periods, but there were no definite opportunities, and the draw was maintained without any serious attempts until the second half.
This was the breakthrough that came in the 78 th minute and it was just appropriate that Kerr delivered the breakthrough on her 150 th appearance with the club. Wake up in the box after a piece, the Australian responded fastest to volley home and continue her streak of impressive scorecard against United.
In one concerted effort, however, struck back almost at once. Three minutes later the ball was crossed into the goal by a substitute, Simi Awujo, in a mad scramble in the goalmouth, tipping the balance and giving the draw an extra time.
With fatigue coming in, the calmness and experience of Chelsea came into play. Their pressure paid off halfway into the first half off the extra time when another corner brought them some trouble, United was hesitant, and Girma jumped in to tap in her first club goal.
United was now pressed to make a late reply, and made an unsuccessful appeal to a penalty, but this did not stop Chelsea, who were determined to see the victory through to the end, and strengthen their position as the favourites in the tournament.
To Kerr this was another landmark event in a dazzling career at Chelsea. To the Blues it was a hard fought effort at survival – and a rightful spot in the quarter-finals.
