Sam Kerr has put a glorious seal on her matchless Chelsea career, scoring a virtuoso winning goal against Manchester United in her final match to leave as the club’s joint all-time top scorer.
On an emotional day at Stamford Bridge – which had become ‘Samford Bridge’ for one final Saturday – the Matildas skipper hammered home a fabulous volley in the 34th minute, her 116th goal for the club, to match the all-time record of her former strike partner Fran Kirby.
She could even have broken the record, blazing one over in the 89th minute of Chelsea’s 1-0 win, before coming off to a standing ovation all around the ground in stoppage time – even from United fans and players – as everyone saluted her 158th and final match for the Blues.
It was a fitting end to the 32-year-old’s stellar six-and-a-half-year career for the London giants, having won five Women’s Super League titles, three FA Cups and three League Cups, as well as twice being crowned golden boot winner as the WSL top scorer.
Her English teammate Millie Bright, a 20-trophy veteran with Chelsea, was marking her farewell too, with the pair being given a guard of honour.
Reports have linked Kerr to a return to the United States following her time in west London, a move which would bring her recently-retired wife Kristie Mewis back to her homeland, alongside their son Jagger.
Sam Kerr brought her baby boy Jagger onto the field as she had a fairytale farewell in her last game with Chelsea (pictured)
The Aussie superstar scored her 116th goal for the club in a 1-0 win over Manchester United
Kerr kissed the badge on her shirt as she bowed out after winning five Women’s Super League titles, three FA Cups and three League Cups with the Blues
The pair were watching in the stands on Saturday as Chelsea finished third in the women’s top-flight.
It was reported last month that Kerr had agreed a move to NWSL franchise Denver Summit, although the striker denied this link.
‘It was an amazing day, kind of fitting to play against Man United, a team I’ve scored so many of my favourite goals against, and to score one like that today was awesome,’ said Kerr, who’s expected to announce she’ll be continuing her career in the NWSL in the US.
‘It’s also fitting I end level with Fran after we played some pretty good football together. But I mean, every goal to me for this club is special, I enjoyed every minute today.
‘It’s just, honestly, the biggest honour to play for this club, and I have so many amazing memories which I’ll carry with me forever.’
She appeared with her one-year-old son Jagger in front of the cheering fans.
‘He’s born in Chelsea, so it’s kind of cute, and a nice little finish, but it was special to walk out with him and have my family here. A really sad day, but happy day, I guess,’ she smiled.
‘It’s going to be hard to leave, but I’ve only good things to say about the club and the people here.’
Kerr (pictured celebrating after her goal) has been linked to a return to playing in the United States, where her wife Kristie Mewis hails from
The 32-year-old (pictured with Jagger at her farewell match) shot down a rumour that she is off to play in Denver, Colorado
Kerr then took the mike to address the fans. ‘Thank you to everyone who I’ve played with since I’ve been representing you guys,’ she told them.
‘Week in, week out, every single minute for you guys. I’ve had some great personal memories both on and off the pitch, so thank you to all of you. Hopefully, you support me wherever I go.’
Her send-off present to them, that instinctive and deadly first-time goal lashed in at the near post from a Lauren James cross, was enough to earn the victory that ensured Chelsea finished third in the table and sealed a place in the Champions League qualifiers next season.
But the deposed champions finished behind Arsenal, who sealed second place with their 3-1 win at Liverpool, and champions Manchester City, who won 4-1 at West Ham, for whom another favourite Matilda, Katrina Gorry, played her final game.
The third-place finish also means that they are demoted to the qualifiers for next season’s Champions League, with only champions Manchester City and Arsenal enjoying a direct route through to the competition proper after clinching the pair of automatic qualifying spots.
‘Obviously, there’s a little bit of sadness,’ Kerr said when announcing her departure from the London side.
‘It’s leaving Chelsea, leaving the club where I’ve been for so long, leaving my teammates, leaving the fans.
‘But when I reflect on my Chelsea career and doing it for the last time, I just feel happy. Happy that it happened, and I feel so grateful to have played for this club for six years and won as many trophies as we could.
‘The only thing that comes to my mind is remembering all the happy moments, the fun moments, and just feeling really proud.’
