Kerr beats jet lag and Arsenal in 100th Chelsea game

Sam Kerr had not long returned from the other side of the world after a busy Matildas schedule - but Chelsea's ace still sunk Arsenal in the women's FA Cup.

SAMANTHA KERR.
SAMANTHA KERR. Picture: Will Russell/Getty Images

Even if Sam Kerr really was suffering from jet leg, no-one would have known.

Just four days after leading Australia to the Cup of Nations triumph in Newcastle, the Matildas captain was back in business at her adopted English home on Sunday, marking her 100th game for Chelsea with a goal in the 2-0 FA Cup triumph over big London rivals Arsenal.

It was a surprise that the Chelsea star striker's name was on the teamsheet at all after jetting back from the other side of the world following a tiring three-game schedule for her country and only arriving back barely 72 hours before the kick-off.

Yet Chelsea can't seem to do without their talismanic No.20, especially at her happy home hunting ground at Kingsmeadow in the knock-out competition that always seems to bring the best out of her, following her doubles in the last two Wembley Cup final triumphs for the Blues.

Sophie Ingle opened the scoring for Chelsea in the 21st minute before Kerr doubled the lead soon after halftime with a clinical finish into the far corner over Manuela Zinsberger after being put through on goal by a lovely ball from Serbian playmaker Jelena Cankovic.

In her century of games, Kerr has now scored an astonishing 82 goals, and this one felt key in the Blues' push for the 'quadruple' of trophies in the Women's Super League, Champions League, League Cup and FA Cup.

She even ended up having a laugh herself as the home crowd taunted Gunners' fans with the refrain: "Even with jet lag, she's better than you..."

Kerr's display even had Chelsea manager Emma Hayes purring: "Some players get off a plane on Thursday night and complain about being tired on Friday - not her.

"She comes in, does everything necessary and lifts the spirit of everyone in the building.

"She is the best in the business, and it's not just 82 goals in 100 games, it is the mentality."

At the other end, Kerr's Matildas teammate Caitlin Foord, who'd scored against Jamaica on Wednesday, also had a decent game for Arsenal, and looked their most likely threat when she forged through on goal early in the second half only to be thwarted by desperate defence.

But it was a sobering afternoon for Arsenal, who also have to face Kerr and the champions in the League Cup final next weekend as she guns for her ninth trophy with Chelsea.

Elsewhere in the tournament, another Matilda, West Ham goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold had a miserable afternoon when, after a 1-1 home draw with Aston Villa, she was asked to take a penalty in the shootout, as well as trying to save them.

Alas, Arnold blasted her spot kick over the bar to hand Villa the shoot-out victory 7-6.