Matildas Abroad Review: Kerr scores match-winner against Manchester United; Foord provides assist against Reading

Sam Kerr found the match-winner in Chelsea's top-of-the-table clash with Manchester United to move two points clear at the top; while Caitlin Foord bagged an assist for Arsenal in their 4-0 win over Reading.

Read the review below. 

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England

Sam Kerr's Chelsea moved to first place on the ladder after their 1-0 win over Manchester United in their top-of-the-table clash, with Kerr scoring the match-winner in the first half. 

Former Manchester United player, Lauren James, picked up the ball in Chelsea's defensive half and sent a delightful ball over the United centrebacks to find Kerr, with the Australian striker controlling the ball and chipping Mary Earps to give the Blues the lead. 

Sam Kerr of Chelsea celebrates after the The FA Women s Super League match at Kingsmeadow, Kington Upon Thames. Picture credit should read: Kieran Cleeves / Sportimage
Sam Kerr of Chelsea celebrates after The FA Women's Super League match at Kingsmeadow, Kington Upon Thames. (Photo: Kieran Cleeves/Sportimage)

Chelsea moves to first place on the ladder and remains two points clear of Manchester United, with a game in hand over the Reds. 

Moving over to Brighton, Lydia Williams' Brighton & Hove Albion suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Mary Fowler, Hayley Raso and Alanna Kennedy's Manchester City.

Khadija Shaw opened the scoring for the visitors midway through the first half, before Elisabeth Terland netted the equaliser for the Seagulls to send both sides into the half-time break locked at 1-1.

Shaw scored the match-winner in the 89th minute to help City to their 11th win, netting her 15th goal of the WSL season. 

Fowler was the only Australian to make an appearance during the game, coming off the bench in the 75th minute. 

Meanwhile, Remy Siemsen and Courtney Nevin's Leicester City held Clare Wheeler's Everton to a 0-0 draw, with the Foxes picking up a much-needed point as they look to avoid relegation. 

All three Aussies made the start for their respective clubs, with Nevin and Wheeler playing the whole 90 minutes while Siemsen was substituted off in the 64th minute. 

Next up, Mackenzie Arnold's West Ham United went down 2-1 to Emily Gielnik's Aston Villa.

Arnold made the start in goals for the Hammers, but the visitors found the opener through Rachel Daly just before the break.

Jordan Nobbs added Villa's second after the hour mark before Vivianna Asseyi clawed back a goal for the Hammers but they were unable to score the decisive second goal. 

Gielnik came off the bench in the win for Carla Ward's side. 

Lastly, Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord's Arsenal recorded a 4-0 win against Reading FC in the final game of the round, with the Gunners keeping their spot in the top four. 

Captain Kim Little opened the scoring from the penalty spot just 4 minutes into the game, Foord helped Arsenal double their lead just before the break, setting up Frida Maanum for the Gunners' second of the night.

Kim Little of Arsenal celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's first goal during the FA Women's Super League match between Arsenal and Reading at Meadow Park on March 12, 2023 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Kim Little of Arsenal celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's first goal during the FA Women's Super League match between Arsenal and Reading at Meadow Park on March 12, 2023, in Borehamwood, England. (Photo: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

An own goal to former Arsenal defender Emma Mukandi gave the home side a 3-0 lead early in the second half. Leah Williamson added a fourth not long later to secure Arsenal's 10th win of the season. 

France

Moving over to France, Ellie Carpenter's Lyon recorded a 2-1 win over FC Fleury 91 in the Division 1 Féminine.

Sara Däbritz made it goals in back-to-back games for Lyon when she opened the scoring in the 17th minute. Lindsey Horan doubled Lyon's lead in the final 10 minutes of regular time. Fleury clawed a goal back in the 97th minute through Léa Le Garrec.

Lyon maintains their spot at the top of the table and is just one point clear of PSG. Carpenter played the full game for Lyon, her second 90 shift since returning from her ACL injury last month. 

Sweden

Our last stop takes us to Sweden, with the Swedish Women's Cup group stage concluding and reigning champions, FC Rosengård knocked out at the group stage. 

 

Teagan Micah's FC Rosengård recorded a late 1-1 draw against Linköping, finishing third in their group and not advancing to the next round. 
Kyra Cooney-Cross' Hammarby continued their perfect run in the group stage, recording a 5-0 win over Eskilstuna to progress first of Group B, not conceding a goal in their three games. 
Aivi Luik's BK Häcken recorded a 3-1 win over Clare Polkinghorne and Charli Grant's Vittsjö GIK to progress to the semi-finals.