Matildas superstar Sam Kerr reveals the nonsense that set her on fire and spurred her to score the goal that won Chelsea the FA Cup
- Sam Kerr scored winner in FA Cup final for Chelsea
- Won the Football Writers Association Player of the Year
- Some bizarrely criticized Kerr’s individual award
- Aussie will be the face of the Women’s World Cup in July
Matildas captain Sam Kerr has admitted her winning goal for Chelsea in the Women’s FA Cup final was fueled by a desire to prove her doubters wrong.
In front of a Wembley crowd of 77,390 – a record attendance for a domestic women’s football match in the UK – Kerr’s goal in the second half was enough to give Chelsea a 1–0 victory over Manchester United.
It was Chelsea’s third successive Women’s FA Cup crown, with Kerr’s post-scoring celebration including her signature backflip.
“The occasion just needed a backflip, didn’t it?” said Kerr after the game.
“I was asked by some friends, so here it is.”
Kerr has admitted her match-winning goal for Chelsea in the Women’s FA Cup final against Manchester United (pictured) was fueled by a desire to prove her doubters wrong
The Matildas skipper celebrated her goal in the FA Cup final with a trademark backflip
It was also ‘the day’ for Kerr to prove once again that she is one of the world’s best women’s players after some criticism over her winning the Football Writers Association player of the year award for the second consecutive season .
“I am very honored to win that award,” Kerr told reporters after the game
“Maybe people weren’t too happy about it, but every big game I’m here.
“I think a lot of people still doubt me. No matter how many goals I score, no matter how many I do for the team, no matter how many big games I score, people always doubt me and that’s what woke me up.
“It’s a very humble award, and I’m very proud to win it.”
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said Kerr was ‘priceless’.
“I’ve never coached a player like Sam Kerr,” she said.
“She has such conviction, confidence, courage, the way she attacks everything. I love that she is willing to take responsibility at the top of the field.”
A record crowd for a UK women’s match poured into Wembley to witness Kerr’s exploits (pictured, full-time draped in the Australian flag)
The 29-year-old will be the face of the Women’s World Cup in July, with Australia and New Zealand co-hosting the tournament.
Kerr also told Optus Sport that the experience of playing in front of nearly 80,000 fans was a timely reminder of what she’s looking forward to at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which kicks off in July and is co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
“I’m excited to play on home soil at a World Cup in my country,” she said.
“Our Aussie fans are amazing. They’re always behind the Tillies, so we’re so excited to be home and represent Oz.”
Manchester United manager Marc Skinner lamented his side’s costly mistake, which allowed Kerr to score in the 68th minute.
“We switch out in the blink of an eye, (and) there’s room for Sam to bump into, which we haven’t given her all the play,” said United manager Marc Skinner.
“Chelsea hardly did anything in the game, but they are winners for a reason; they find that little hole.’
Kerr and Chelsea’s attention now turns to an English Women’s Super League match on Thursday morning (AEST) against West Ham.
A Chelsea win would put them two points ahead of United at the top of the table.