Sam Kerr scored on her return as Chelsea beat Aston Villa. Manchester United thrashed London City Lionesses 5-1. Leicester City defeated Liverpool 1-0 in other Women’s Super League action. The weekend showcased exciting talent and competitive matches.
The Women's Super League (WSL) witnessed a dramatic weekend as Sam Kerr made a triumphant return from a long injury layoff, and Manchester United asserted their dominance with a resounding victory. In other matches, Chelsea demonstrated their championship mettle, and Leicester City secured a crucial win against Liverpool.
Kerr's Comeback Seals Chelsea Win
Sam Kerr's return to the pitch after 634 days was nothing short of spectacular. The Australian international, sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, marked her Chelsea appearance with a goal in their 3-1 victory over Aston Villa. Kerr's goal, coming in stoppage time as a substitute, sealed the win for the champions, who maintained their perfect start to the WSL season.
The match at Villa Park was a hard-fought contest, with Aston Villa proving to be a resilient opponent. Aggie Beever-Jones opened the scoring for Chelsea, continuing her impressive form this season. However, Ebony Salmon quickly responded, leveling the score for Villa. Chelsea regained the lead thanks to a Missy Bo Kearns own goal before Kerr's late heroics.
Chelsea's manager, Sonia Bompastor, will be delighted with Kerr's return and the team's ability to grind out a victory against a determined Aston Villa side. The win underscores Chelsea's ambition to retain their WSL title and their depth of talent.
Manchester United's Dominant Display
Manchester United bounced back emphatically from their Champions League setback, delivering a 5-1 thrashing to London City Lionesses. Marc Skinner's side showcased their attacking prowess and defensive solidity, returning to the top of the WSL table. The victory served as a morale booster following their first-leg European qualifying defeat against Norwegian side Brann.
The goals flowed freely for United, with Maya Le Tissier and Jayde Riviere finding the net in the first half, setting the tone for a dominant performance. Melvine Malard's quickfire brace after the interval further extended United's lead, leaving the Lionesses with an insurmountable task. Former United forward Nikita Parris scored a consolation goal for the hosts, but Jess Park, making her first WSL start since joining from Manchester City, capped off a brilliant display with a fifth goal.
However, the victory was marred by an injury to Millie Turner, who was carried off on a stretcher. The extent of Turner's injury is yet to be determined, but her absence would be a blow to United's defensive lineup.
Leicester City Edge Past Liverpool
Liverpool's struggles continued as they suffered a 1-0 defeat away to 10-player Leicester City. The result piles more pressure on new boss Gareth Taylor, who is still searching for his first point since taking charge. Liverpool had previously been thrashed 4-1 by Everton in their opening match, and their performance against Leicester offered little improvement.
Emily van Egmond's headed goal on the hour mark proved to be the difference between the two sides. Van Egmond nodded past goalkeeper Faye Kirby from Janice Cayman's cross. The goal came shortly after Shannon O'Brien was sent off for Leicester after receiving a second yellow card, making Leicester's victory even more commendable.
Leicester's resilience and determination earned them a valuable three points, while Liverpool's disappointing start to the season raises concerns about their ability to compete with the top teams in the WSL. Taylor faces a challenging task in revitalizing Liverpool and turning their fortunes around.
Summary
The Women's Super League saw Sam Kerr's celebrated return with a goal, Chelsea's victory over Aston Villa, Manchester United's commanding win against London City Lionesses, and Leicester City's narrow triumph over Liverpool. These matches highlight the league's competitive nature and the exciting talent on display.