The fans are calling it the ‘Kerr-by’ combo, the instinctive interplay between Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby that just seems to keep generating goals.
Under the floodlights at Everton in midweek, Chelsea Women notched their sixth straight away win without conceding a goal to maintain their place at the top of the Women’s Super League… and the ‘Super K’ pairing were on target yet again in the 3-0 victory.
It followed last weekend’s Conti Cup final in which the Blues romped home against Bristol City in a mismatched contest to retain the trophy won for the first time last year.
That 6-0 result was overshadowed by a serious – and possibly career-threatening – injury to first choice right back and Norway captain Maren Mjelde, whose haunting screams echoed round the empty Vicarage Road stadium as she writhed in agony on the ground with 15 minutes remaining.
A seemingly innocuous challenge by Aimee Palmer crocked the defender’s standing leg. She was taken straight to hospital, will need knee surgery and will play no more part in the season.
It means that Naimh Charles, up to now a bit part player, has been elevated to right back ahead of Hannah Blundell in the two Champions League quarter-final matches against Wolfsburg.
Both games will take place in Budapest because of quarantine restrictions, separated by Chelsea’s home game against Aston Villa on 28 March.
It seems bizarre for both sides to have to make repeated flights to and from Hungary to play, but Chelsea have accepted Uefa’s decision to use a neutral venue, denying both sides any home advantage.
Wednesday’s win at Everton was the perfect tonic. Kerr and Kirby combined after 14 minutes, with Kirby galloping through to score.
Pernille Harder made it 2-0 on the hour after Kerr again exchanged passes with Kirby, and Mel Leupolz – who missed a penalty in the second minute – atoned with a third.
Kerr left with the match ball from the Conti Cup final, but paid tribute to the team-mate with whom she has developed such an understanding.
“Fran had a hand in every goal,” she said. “I get to play with her every day at training, and in games, and we are only getting better with every game,” she said.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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