Football
Matchwinner Sam Kerr struck again as Chelsea women's football team defeated Manchester United 1-0 to win the 2023 FA Cup on Sunday (14 May.)
In front of a record-setting crowd (for a domestic women's match) of 77,390, the Australian forward scored the game's opener and only goal, to secure the Blues their third consecutive title.
Marc Skinner's Manchester United, in their first-ever major final, had started the brighter of the two teams with Leah Galton striking the ball into Chelsea's net within 20 seconds of the first whistle. Though deemed offside moments later, the Red Devils continued to apply pressure on their opposition staying on top for most of the half.
All tied at 0-0 going into the break, it was the defending champions that emerged ready to seize the occasion.
After asking a string of questions of United's goalkeeper Mary Earps, Kerr didn't hesitate when a sublime arrow from impact substitution Pernille Harder aimed at the back post came her way. Without breaking a stride, the recently named Football Writers' Association Player of the Year, hammered it home handing Chelsea the advantage.
United's inability to be clinical in key moments hurt them most in the game's dying minute when Leah Galton was presented with the chance to equalise after Blues' keeper Ann-Katirn Berger fumbled the ball. But with bodies everywhere, including behind the line, Chelsea found a way to steer themselves away from trouble and take the win.
Speaking to the BBC after the game player of the match Kerr said: “We didn’t have our best game today but it’s a sign of a good team to still get the win. The team did amazing, I would be lying if I said it was all me. I’m just lucky to be the nine in this team.”
Chelsea's victory over United marks an important step in their quest to win the domestic double this season. They sit just one point behind the Red Devils in the 2023 Women's Super League with one game in hand.