Sam Kerr's Hat-Trick Guides Chelsea Women to Dominant 4-1 Champions League Victory over Paris FC Féminines
Chelsea Women's captain Sam Kerr shines with a sensational hat-trick, leading her team to a resounding 4-1 victory against Paris FC Féminines in the UEFA Women's Champions League The Australian superstar dominates the pitch, securing a memorable win for Chelsea
Australia's Sam Kerr delivered an impressive hat-trick as Chelsea secured a 4-1 victory over Paris FC Féminines in the UEFA Women's Champions League (UWCL) on Thursday.
Despite manager Emma Hayes' impending departure to join the US Women's National Team, Chelsea showed no signs of distraction as they dominated in their win at Stamford Bridge. Hayes, who has guided the team to six Women's Super League (WSL) titles since 2012, will leave her role at the end of the season.
The UEFA Women's Champions League Group D match at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano in Madrid, Spain saw Chelsea manager Emma Hayes in attendance. The picture was taken on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. (Press Association via AP Images)
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Paris started the game aggressively, with forward Mathilde Bourdieu forcing a save from Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger. The game's first goal came at the half-hour mark, with Kerr receiving a pass from Lauren James and slotting the ball past Paris goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
The French team continued to apply pressure on Chelsea and managed to score an equalizer when defender Thea Greboval met a corner with a header that went over Berger, with Jess Carter unable to clear the ball off the line. After half-time, Chelsea brought in English midfielder Fran Kirby from the bench. However, Paris had the first chance in the second half as Berger rushed out to stop Bourdieu's close-range attempt.
Kerr quickly regained the lead for Chelsea by converting a low cross from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd for her second goal of the match.
Kerr celebrates her second goal at Stamford Bridge.
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Kerr sealed her hat-trick in a stunning manner shortly after. Berger's long ball bypassed the Paris defenders, allowing the Australian striker to break through on goal. Seizing the opportunity with Nnadozie off her line, Kerr fearlessly chipped the Nigerian goalkeeper from beyond the penalty area to secure her third goal.
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes pictured before the Barclays Women's Super League match at Kingsmeadow in London on Saturday, October 14, 2023.
(Photo by Zac Goodwin/PA Images via Getty Images)
Emma Hayes has been appointed as the coach of the US women's national soccer team, signing a record contract. Erin Cuthbert came close to increasing the Blues' lead with a long-range shot, while Louise Fleury missed an opportunity to score for the visitors.
Kerr had a chance for her fourth goal of the evening after Kirby set her up, but she missed the opportunity. In the final minute of extra time, Chelsea sealed the game with style. Two substitutes, Sophie Ingle and Ãve Périsset, combined for an impressive fourth goal, with Ingle scoring an excellent half-volley off Périsset's low corner to make it 4-1.
Hayes commented after the game that she believed the team's strength came from the bench, particularly highlighting Sophie Ingle's calm and composed impact after coming on. She also expressed high praise for captain Kerr, who played despite not being fully recovered from a preseason injury.
"If that's her at 80% - or whatever percentage she's at - then I'll take that every week, it's not too shabby!" Hayes remarked. "I'm eagerly awaiting the 100% version to arrive."
At the bottom of Group D, Paris has lost its first two matches, while Chelsea moves up to second place with four points, trailing Häcken Women who defeated Real Madrid 2-1 on Thursday.
