EMMA HAYES hails Sam Kerr after Chelsea send Conti final warning Cup to Arsenal knocked them out of the FA Cup.
It was the striker’s 82nd goal in 100 appearances for the Reds. The Blues were the icing on the cake of the Gunners’ 2-0 shootout.
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The forward, returning from the Cup of Nations in Australia, scored his fifth goal in 11 matches against Arsenal.
But the Gunners will be unlucky to leave the game scoreless despite having 11 shots on target, Chelsea conceding three goals.
Their performances were watched by Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema, with Arsenal aces both in the stands.
Reflecting on Kerr’s performance days after her return from Australia Hayes said: “Some players got off the plane on Thursday night. Arrived on Friday and groaned and said ‘I’m tired’ but not Sam.
“Some people say, ‘I want this. I want that’ but not you.
“She came in and did everything necessary and possible. and elevate the spirit of the building.
“She did that when no one was looking. She only does it when she is our true number nine.
“She’s the best in the business.”
Kerr’s finish was followed by Blues fans cheering for her while taunting the Gunners.
They shouted ‘Even when jet lag She’s better than you,’ referring to the striker, who played just days after returning from Australia in England.
Hayes added: “It was challenging for both teams.
“They have the same challenge with both sets of players coming back slower than usual. (from the national team break)
“Sometimes they come home on Tuesday or Wednesday.
“This time is Thursday or Friday.
“It’s good for the players because doing so is trivial.”
Hayes said of the Blues’ overall performance: “We have incredible ideas. We are top performers. And we do it all the time.”
The visitors had quality chances to score at Kingsmeadow, including two clear first-half chances for Stina Blackstenius.
Lauren James saw a sixth-minute cross by the hosts. As Chelsea begin to test the visitors in the final third
But the Gunners increased the pressure on the cup holders early on. by Ann-Kathrin seems to have left the ball in the 12th minuteThai– Minutes at Caitlin Food cross
Arsenal had a good chance to take a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute, with Frida Manum’s ball flicked by Black Stenius.
But this spearhead shot over the crossbar just after capturing Magda. Eriksson was saved after she made a powerful header into the box.
The deadlock is broken when Sophie Ingle buried the bottom corner in the 21st.st Minutes after the nice creation of Eve Perisset, Jelena Cankovic and James.
Two superb saves on either side from Manuela Zinsberger and Berger saw the scores remain 1-0 up at the break.
Berger was able to stop Katie McCabe’s rifle aiming attempt before reacting quickly to Foord’s shot from the rebound.
Despite Arsenal’s efforts The second spell doubled Chelsea’s lead over Kerr.
The striker chipped over Zinsberger in the 56.Thai Minutes after running into the penalty area and Cankovic’s fine pass.
Victoria Pelova hits a header from the post in the closing stages. Burgers have a few more chances to survive.
This included Maanum’s long range shot with 11 minutes remaining in normal time.
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The hosts secured a 2-0 victory and booked a place in the FA Cup quarter-final Conti Cup against Arsenal on Sunday.
Gunners boss Jonas Eidevall said: “It’s not unusual or common to have more goalscoring opportunities than Chelsea at Kingsmeadow.
“We built enough to win this game. But they are mercilessly effective – hats off to them and we are not.”
