Sam Kerr marks 100th Chelsea goal with late strike in comeback from 20-month injury

Sam Kerr scored her 100th goal for Chelsea after a 20-month absence from the side, coming off the bench to net a late goal in the Blues' 3-1 Women’s Super League victory at Aston Villa on Sunday.

The 32-year-old Matildas captain, who had not played for Chelsea since January 2024 because of a chronic anterior cruciate ligament injury, was introduced in the 75th minute and slammed home a loose ball in the Villa penalty area three minutes into stoppage time to seal the win. The strike brought Kerr’s Chelsea tally to 100 goals in 128 appearances for the club.

Chelsea opened the scoring through Aggie Beever-Jones, but Aston Villa’s Ebony Salmon levelled before an own goal involving Missy Bo Kearns restored Chelsea’s advantage. Kerr’s late finish put the result beyond doubt and secured Chelsea a second straight league victory to start the campaign.

"I'm a goalscorer, that's what I love doing, and those 100 goals represent a lot of hard work, dedication and sacrifices to get there," Kerr said after the match. The striker added that reaching the century mark was "something I'll look back on for the rest of my life." Coach Sonia Bompastor had suggested Kerr could feature at Villa Park, saying before the game, "hopefully we'll see," and elected to bring her on in the second half.

Kerr’s return to competitive action follows an extended rehabilitation period after a severe knee injury that kept her sidelined throughout much of the 2024 season. Her substitute appearance at Villa Park was the most high-profile comeback of the weekend for Australian players in England’s top flight.

Elsewhere in the league, Australians continued to influence results. Clare Hunt and substitute Charlotte Grant contributed to Tottenham’s 2-0 win at Everton, preserving Tottenham’s 100 percent start to the season; Clare Wheeler started for Everton. Leicester City forward Emily van Egmond headed the winner in a 1-0 victory over Liverpool, handing the Reds a second successive defeat. Manchester United moved to the top of the table with a 5-1 victory over London City Lionesses, a match that featured Matildas defender Alanna Kennedy for the Lionesses.

Kerr’s milestone comes as Chelsea seek to re-establish themselves as title contenders after a period disrupted by injuries to key players. Her return will offer Chelsea additional attacking options as the WSL season progresses and will be watched closely by supporters and national team staff as she rebuilds match fitness and sharpness.

The match at Villa Park offered a tangible sign of Kerr's readiness to contribute at the highest level again: she finished the move with conviction, and her immediate impact will boost Chelsea’s hopes of mounting a sustained challenge domestically and in European competition as the campaign unfolds.