Chelsea 5-0 Birmingham City
Matildas star Sam Kerr celebrated her two-year contract extension by bagging a hat-trick and displaying her trademark backflip for only the second time at Kingsmeadow.
It would be an easy victory in a carnival atmosphere for Chelsea. Kerr’s strike partner Fran Kirby grabbed a brace, becoming the first-ever Chelsea player to score 100 goals in the FA WSL, and Lauren James made her first league appearance for the Blues since returning to her South-West London home in the summer.
Emma Hayes’ champions were totally dominant with 75% possession and 25 shots, compared to just the single shot from the Midlands visitors. Birmingham City had sacked manager Scott Booth during the week amidst new complaints about the appalling facilities provided to their women’s team.
It was apparent from the earliest stages that the outcome would depend on how many goals Chelsea wanted to score.
Unlike recent home games against Leicester City and Brighton & Hove Albion, who offered massed defence as Birmingham did, Chelsea made the breakthrough early.
Only four minutes were on the clock when Kirby lofted the ball over City keeper Marie Hourihan. It was 3-0 by the half-hour mark after two Kerr goals, then she completed her hat-trick in first-half stoppage time with a crisp finish when the ball fell to her in the box – cue the famous back-flip.
Despite Chelsea’s total dominance after the break and some outstanding individual skill from Guro Reiten and Jessie Fleming, there was only one more goal. Kirby’s 100th came from Kerr’s glorious low ball which met the England superstar’s diagonal run perfectly.
With the South-West Londoners still missing Pernille Harder, James came on for her first FA WSL appearance in a blue shirt. James played some outstanding crosses into the box and will be a hugely exciting addition to Chelsea’s already star-studded midfield.
Ben Gilby’s photos from the game:
Teams: CHELSEA (3-4-3): Berger, Bright, Carter, Eriksson, Cuthbert, Spence, Leupolz, Reiten, Fleming, Kerr, Kirby. Substitutes: Musovic (GK), Ingle, England (for Kirby 78′), Ji, Mjelde, James (for Fleming 68′), Charles, Andersson (for Reiten 78′), Fox
Scorers: Kirby 4′ 75′, Kerr 18′ 29′ 44′
BIRMINGHAM CITY (4-4-2): Hourihan, Scott, Louise Quinn, Sandvej, Holloway, Lucy Quinn, Murray, Robertson, Ewens, Smith, Pennock. Substitutes: Simkin, Sarri (for Ewens 75′), Finn, Whipp (for Robertson 45′), Ramsey, Ryan-Doyle, Whelan (for Pennock 75′), Lawley (for Sandvej 62′), Cowie
Referee: Elizabeth Simms.
Attendance: 2,704.
