For more than an hour, Sam Kerr had fed on leftovers at Wembley, chasing lost business and long balls as Manchester United dominated England’s Women’s FA Cup Final.
Then Chelsea finally cut through the red wall of defenders. When Pernille Harder broke off on the right, Kerr rolled off into space, anticipated the cross and fired past FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, Mary Earps.
It was Kerr’s fifth goal in three FA Cup finals and her tenth in six domestic finals with Chelsea, celebrated with her trademark backflip.
It also turned out to be the lone goal of Sunday’s match. A week after carrying the Australian flag at the King’s coronation, Kerr had carried Chelsea to another crown.
This was also a royal occasion, with Prince William among the 77,390 in attendance, a world record for a women’s domestic club match. As an Aston Villa fan, he must have been disappointed when Chelsea beat Villa in the semi-finals (Kerr, of course, scored the only goal), but he hid it well.
Aussie star Sam Kerr has led Chelsea to their third successive Women’s FA Cup, scoring the only goal in the game against Manchester United in front of a world record crowd at Wembley
Kerr celebrated her goal with her trademark backflip – it was the superstar’s fifth goal in three FA Cup finals and her tenth in six domestic finals with Chelsea
Prince William was just one of many impressed by Sam Kerr’s performance on Monday
“We didn’t play our best game today, but that’s a sign of a great team if you just keep going,” said Kerr. “Everyone did their part and we persevered and eventually won.
Kerr added that he was named player of the match: ‘I don’t deserve this. There are people today who deserve it much more than I do, but I will take it up 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 world’s greatest, including Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd and Kelly Smith.
“She has such conviction, courage, the way she attacks everything. I love that she is willing to take responsibility at the top of the field.”
The tie almost had a sensational start, Manchester United had the ball in Chelsea’s net after 16 seconds through Leah Galton. But Ella Toone was offside as she broke off right before delivering the cross that converted Galton.
However, the ‘goal’ decided United, who played their first final and in most cases made their first appearance at Wembley.
They controlled the first half as Chelsea struggled to provide Kerr with any service.
Chelsea keeper Ann-Katrin Berger had to scrape a deflected shot from Millie Turner, Nikita Parris was fouled fractions outside the box and both Galton and Alessia Russo had chances.
Still, Chelsea would have led at half time had Earps hit a Lauren James header on the post in the 41st minute.
The Aussie was named player of the match, but insisted she did not deserve the honor
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said she has never coached a player like Sam Kerr
The thrilling sold-out final surpassed the previous record for a women’s domestic match by over 17,000, with 77,390 in attendance
In theory, Kerr led with support from Canada’s Jessie Fleming, 79 days before the pair will face opposition in Melbourne at the Women’s World Cup.
But United’s odd hold in midfield meant the combination never worked and shortly before the hour mark Harder replaced Fleming.
Almost immediately Kerr, released by another substitute Sophie Ingle’s first touch, swept aside Maya Le Tissier and crossed to Harder, but the Dane couldn’t fire fast or strong enough.
Nine minutes later, the roles were reversed. Harder’s cross was perfect, as was Kerr’s finish, and Chelsea were on their way to their third FA Cup win in a row.
United forced a couple of goals as they looked for an equaliser, but had none with Kerr’s finishing touches.