Sam Kerr has celebrated her first Chelsea start in almost two years by scoring a double, then declaring herself 100 per cent fit and “ready to go” for more game time and goals.
After returning for the Matildas with starts against Wales and England in late October, Kerr made her first club start since December 2023 in the Champions League clash with Austrian tournament debutants St. Polten.
In encouraging signs ahead of Australia’s Asian Cup campaign in March, the Matildas captain led the line for all 94 minutes, grafting away before bagging two late goals in the thumping 6-0 win.
“It feels good. It felt like I had to work myself into it but yeah, happy to score,” Kerr told Disney Plus.
“Of course, I prefer to play more minutes … I feel like today was good. I had a few chances in the first half. I’m just happy to be back out here playing in the Champions League again with an amazing team. I’m relishing every moment.
“I feel 100 per cent, but I was out for a while, so I have to build myself up. Today was a good set, right? Getting some good minutes in the national team was a good set. I’m definitely fit enough, it’s just about getting miles in the legs now. I’m ready to go.”
Sam Kerr celebrates scoring for Chealsea in the Champion’s League.Credit: Getty Images
Australian teammate Ellie Carpenter set up Dutch midfielder Wieke Kaptein for the opener in the 13th minute, and it was two by half-time thanks to Brazilian-born American forward Catarina Macario.
Macario netted her second from the spot in the 53rd before Kerr found the back of the net either side of a Lisa Ebert own goal.
