Chelsea

Arteta has ‘flavour’ Arsenal could have ended ‘immense’ week with win at Chelsea

Facing Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Chelsea inside a week – a run any side would find an extreme test – and earning two wins and a battling draw cannot be considered anything other than a positive return but Arsenal may be left feeling they could have done even better.

After superb performances in beating rivals Spurs before dispatching Bayern at the Emirates, Sunday’s match with Chelsea was always going to be difficult with recovery time limited.

And preparations were further hit with key centre-back William Saliba ruled out with a knock picked up in training – the France international set for more tests.

Given that context, a 1-1 draw secured through Mikel Merino’s header to leave the Gunners five points clear at the top of the table is far from a poor result. But having seen his side play against 10 men for the majority of the match following Moises Caicedo’s red card, manager Mikel Arteta also admitted an opportunity to extend the lead further had been missed.

“It’s been a big week, starting with the derby,” he said. ” Then to play Bayern Munich three days later [and] we lost players in those games.

“Today, for example, we had to play a partnership [in defence] that we never played before in a really difficult match.

“The captain is still not here (Martin Odegaard), the nine is still not here (Viktor Gyokeres), Kai (Havertz) is still not here, We lost Leo (Trossard) in midweek as well, But the team had to react to that.”

Odegaard and Gyokeres did come off the bench for the Gunners in the second half at Chelsea.

“I think overall it’s been a really positive week because the difficulty was immense,” added Arteta.

“But I have this flavour that today we should have and we could have won the game and we haven’t. That’s a learning point from it.”

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Merino strikes to earn Arsenal bruising 1-1 draw against 10-man Chelsea | Football News

Mikel Merino rescued Arsenal as the Premier League leaders battled to a 1-1 draw at 10-man Chelsea in a bad-tempered London derby.

Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo was sent off for a crude foul on Merino late in the first half at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

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Despite Caicedo’s dismissal, Trevoh Chalobah headed Chelsea into a second half lead, but Merino’s second half leveller ensured Arsenal emerged with a point from a bruising encounter between the title rivals.

Arsenal are five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who beat Leeds United on Saturday, and sit six points above third-placed Chelsea.

When the dust had settled on a contest of relentless intensity, Arsenal were left to rue a missed opportunity to extend their lead over Chelsea in the title race, while the Blues were relieved to avoid a damaging defeat.

Arsenal remain the favourites to win their first Premier League crown since 2004, but Chelsea’s combative display suggested they could emerge as the biggest threat to the Gunners’ title aspirations.

Arsenal are unbeaten in 17 games in all competitions, winning 14 of those matches, while Chelsea have gone seven matches without losing in all competitions.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca had played down his young side’s title hopes, but they went toe to toe with Arsenal, who were without injured centre-back William Saliba.

A thunderous first half included a rash of bookings as both teams tried to impose themselves.

Gunners midfielder Martin Zubimendi hauled down Reece James, Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella crunched into Bukayo Saka, Mosquera pole-axed Joao Pedro and Riccardo Calafiori cynically tugged James.

Saka almost exacted immediate revenge on Cucurella with a stinging strike that Robert Sanchez saved at his near post.

Chelsea's Spanish goalkeeper #01 Robert Sanchez saves a shot from Arsenal's English midfielder #07 Bukayo Saka during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on November 30, 2025. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES. AN ADDITIONAL 40 IMAGES MAY BE USED IN EXTRA TIME. NO VIDEO EMULATION. SOCIAL MEDIA IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES. AN ADDITIONAL 40 IMAGES MAY BE USED IN EXTRA TIME. NO USE IN BETTING PUBLICATIONS, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS.
Sanchez saves a shot from Saka [Justina Tallis/AFP]

Teenage sensation Estevao Willian started for Chelsea after his star role in their 3-0 midweek win over Barcelona.

The 18-year-old could not replicate his stunning goal against Barca however as he lashed over from 9 metres (10 yards) to squander Chelsea’s first serious chance.

Enzo Fernandez tested Arsenal keeper David Raya from the edge of the area as Chelsea began to exert pressure on the visitors’ reshuffled defence.

The war of attrition turned ugly in the 38th minute when Caicedo caught Merino on the ankle with a nasty foul that was upgraded from a booking to a dismissal after a VAR review.

It was the Blues’ sixth red card in all competitions this season.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 30: Moises Caicedo of Chelsea reacts after fouling Mikel Merino of Arsenal for which he subsequently received a red card after a VAR review during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on November 30, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Caicedo and Merino lie on the ground after the Chelsea midfielder’s foul [Ryan Pierse/Getty Images]

The Ecuador midfielder’s premature exit was followed by a dangerous Hincapie elbow on Chalobah, provoking Chelsea cries for a red card that went unheeded.

Gabriel Martinelli nearly added to Chelsea’s angst on the stroke of half-time with a fierce blast that forced a fine save from Sanchez.

Arsenal arrived as the best set-piece team in the league with 10 goals in 12 matches.

But Chelsea ranked second with eight and Chalobah grabbed their ninth in the 48th minute.

It was a goal straight from the Arsenal playbook as James curled a corner to the near post and Chalobah rose highest inside the six-yard box to glance his header into the far corner.

Arteta responded by sending on Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke, who was jeered and barraged with chants of “Chelsea reject” on his return to his former club.

The Arsenal changes reaped an instant reward as Merino snatched the 59th minute equaliser.

Saka danced past Cucurella with a mesmerising run and cross, picking out Merino for a powerful close-range header that flashed past Sanchez.

It was Merino’s fourth goal this season as Arteta once again used the Spain midfielder as a makeshift striker.

A frantic finale featured Sanchez making superb stops to deny Saka and Merino, but Arsenal could not land the knockout blow.

Chelsea’s captain Reece James told Sky Sports that he was “disappointed” not to come away with the three points but that the sending off limited his side.

“Arsenal have been on the top for the last few years. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. Their midfield is tough. We done what we could today to play our game and hurt them off the ball,” he said.

He added: “[Maresca] changed the formation slightly, and he knew they were going to come at us. So we tried to soak up the pressure, and then try to catch them [on the counter].

“I am proud of the boys. It was electric at the Bridge today. We are happy to take the point.”

Merino said Arsenal were also disappointed not to get the win.

When you wear this shirt, you want to win every game.” he told Sky Sports. “This is a really tough stadium to come and take a point. We could have done things better but the team showed good mentality.”

Elsewhere on Sunday, Liverpool’s record signing Alexander Isak scored his first Premier League goal for the Reds as the under-pressure football champions earned a much-needed 2-0 win at West Ham United.

Manchester United ended Crystal Palace’s nine-month unbeaten home run with a 2-1 comeback victory, Aston Villa climbed into the top four with a 1-0 victory over lowly Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Brighton won 2-0 at Nottingham Forest to go fifth.

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Chelsea: Strasbourg president says they ‘aren’t Chelsea’s feeder club’

Keller, who led the consortium that bought Strasbourg for one euro in 2012, has helped revive a club that were playing in the amateur fourth tier after financial collapse.

They returned to the Ligue 1 within five years, and are now competing on the European stage – two years after entering into the partnership with Chelsea.

“Discussions with Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly have been about how to create a smart multi-club model from the beginning, while using more financial power,” said Keller.

“We improved every year and were in a strong financial position before the takeover, but with new partners we can dream a little bigger and think about getting into the top six or seven to qualify for Europe every year.”

At the Stade de la Meinau, BlueCo’s investment is evident, with cranes finishing the stadium’s expansion from 26,000 to 32,000 seats – the final touches of a £157m redevelopment.

Walking around the modernised stadium, there is incredible attention to detail, including monuments to every male and female player to wear the blue jersey.

“The good balance is ambition but with tradition,” Keller said.

“We are investing a lot to set up an organisation around the team to help the players go higher. That’s in staff, data, physio, player care and scouting networks.”

Sporting director David Weir was hired last month, after leaving Brighton.

But, just as at Chelsea, Strasbourg’s squad had already been transformed by BlueCo – with £112m spent on building the youngest squad – averaging just 21.5 years of age – in the big five leagues. Chelsea are fourth – behind their partner club, plus Paris St-Germain and Parma.

Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos was the first to benefit from a move between the clubs – spending 18 months on loan at Strasbourg – and says he still watches their matches and texts manager Liam Rosenior.

“We try to work well with the technical team of Chelsea to have good players for Strasbourg,” says Keller. “It would have been impossible for us to have Mike Penders, Andrey Santos or Dorde Petrovic in the past, so that’s positive.

“Strasbourg and France is a good step for the young players to develop, and this BlueCo project is about building quality.

“We are investing a lot in a young generation. It can happen that one player per year is good enough for Chelsea. But our project is to have other players around top clubs in Europe, not just Chelsea. It’s not correct to say they are coming to go to Chelsea.

“They are coming to Strasbourg because of the ambition.”

Strasbourg sold £74m of players in the summer – including Dilane Bakwa to Nottingham Forest and former captain Habib Diarra to Sunderland, both for about £30m.

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Estevao Willian v Lamine Yamal – how Chelsea forward outshone Barcelona prodigy

It was billed as the battle of the two teenage wonderkids – and for once it was Lamine Yamal who found himself overshadowed, cast aside from the spotlight.

This was Estevao Willian’s night.

With Chelsea already 1-0 up and Barcelona down to 10 men, the 18-year-old produced a truly memorable moment to light up an already raucous Stamford Bridge.

Collecting a pass from Reece James, Estevao cut inside, turned Alejandro Balde inside out and then sent a rasping drive into the roof of the net past goalkeeper Joan Garcia.

As former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin put it: “Start believing the hype.”

“The goal’s the bit everyone will see, and it was wonderful in a number of ways,” Nevin said on BBC Radio 5 Live after the 3-0 victory. “It was just so tight, the footwork, and it’s a brilliant, brilliant finish.

“But all the other parts of his game, the intelligence, the movement, the picking up of position… he’s a natural. Because usually footballers are called natural and they’re not – but it just looks so effortless for him. Some players just move differently to other players, a grace and elegance. It’s beautiful to see.”

Speaking on Amazon Prime, ex-Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge added: “The anticipation and expectation was that it was going to be Yamal’s night and it would be all about him. But you see Estavao tonight and it was absolutely brilliant.”

Yamal’s evening came to an end in the 80th minute, substituted to jeers with the match already lost.

Just two minutes and 40 seconds later, Estevao departed to a standing ovation.

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Chelsea thump Barcelona in Champions League as Man City also lose | Football News

FIFA Club World Cup champions Chelsea of the English Premier League beat Spain’s Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League.

Defensive lapses cost Barcelona and Manchester City dearly as both teams slumped to notable losses in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Chelsea comfortably beat 10-man Barcelona 3-0 to earn its third league-phase win and move closer to the top.

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It was the second loss for Barcelona, which went down a man after defender Ronald Araujo was shown a second yellow card just before half-time.

The hosts scored with an own-goal by Jules Kounde in the 27th, a nice strike by Estevao in the 55th and a close-range shot by Liam Delap in the 73rd.

Chelsea's Estevao scores their second goal
Chelsea’s Estevao scores their second goal against Barcelona [Hannah Mckay/Reuters]

Leverkusen continue Man City woes

In Pep Guardiola’s 100th Champions League game as City coach, his team struggled to cope with Bayer Leverkusen’s quick transitions in a 2-0 defeat, while Barcelona had an own goal and a red card in its 3-0 loss at Chelsea.

Guardiola made 10 changes to his starting lineup following Saturday’s loss to Newcastle in the Premier League, with Erling Haaland among those on the bench, but it didn’t have the desired effect.

Alejandro Grimaldo fired home Leverkusen’s first goal with a low shot into the far corner in the 23rd, and Patrik Schick headed in a second in the 54th.

City could have moved atop the table with a win, but the night ended with the top three unchanged. Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Inter Milan all play on Wednesday.

Bayer Leverkusen's Patrik Schick celebrates scoring their second goal
Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick celebrates scoring their second goal [Lee Smith/Reuters]

Benfica and Napoli also record wins

Jose Mourinho picked up his first Champions League win with his new club Benfica as Samuel Dahl’s early goal set the stage for a 2-0 win over troubled Ajax. It was No 36 vs No 35 in the pre-game standings as the two winless teams met in the Netherlands.

Left back Dahl scored an unstoppable volley on the rebound after Ajax goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros had saved a header from Benfica’s experienced defender Nicolas Otamendi. Leandro Barreiro added a second goal in the 90th.

Ajax has lost all five of its Champions League games and won only one of its last 10 games in all competitions.

Canadian forward Promise David scored the only goal as Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise won 1-0 at injury-depleted Galatasaray. The Turkish club was without injured Champions League top scorer Victor Osimhen, and finished with 10 men after 18-year-old defender Arda Unyay picked up two yellow cards.

Scott McTominay scored the opening goal as Napoli won 2-0 against Azerbaijan’s Qarabag. Napoli fans commemorated the fifth anniversary of club legend Diego Maradona’s death.

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Chelsea vs Barcelona: UEFA Champions League – team news, start and lineups | Football News

Who: Chelsea vs Barcelona
What: League Phase, UEFA Champions League
Where: Stamford Bridge, London, UK
When: Tuesday at 8pm (20:00 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 17:00 GMT in advance of our live text commentary stream.

Chelsea will host Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday in a hugely consequential Matchday 5 League Phase clash in the UEFA Champions League (UCL).

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Chelsea and Barcelona, both former Champions League winners, head into this highly anticipated showdown with an identical seven points from their opening four fixtures, making this match pivotal as both sides aim to climb the standings in search of automatic top-eight qualification into the last-16 of the competition.

The star-studded clubs are riding recent hot streaks with Chelsea, bolstered by a trio of recent wins against Tottenham, Wolves and Burnley, closing in on the Premier League’s top spot behind table-topping Arsenal, while reigning La Liga champions Barcelona are again competing with archrival Real Madrid for the domestic title.

Here is all to know before their epic clash at Stamford Bridge:

What happened in Chelsea’s last Premier League match?

Goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez earned Chelsea a 2-0 victory at lowly Burnley on Saturday.

The result moved the Blues past Manchester City and into outright second on the English Premier League (EPL) table behind leaders Arsenal.

Enzo Maresca’s side will clash with the Gunners next Sunday in a top-of-the-table premiership showdown at Stamford Bridge.

What happened in Barcelona’s last La Liga match?

Barcelona secured a dominant 4-0 victory over 10-man Athletic Bilbao on Saturday in their first match back at their home venue Nou Camp since May 2023.

Ferran Torres had two goals for Barca with Robert Lewandowski and Fermin Lopez also adding to the scoresheet.

Athletic lost midfielder Oihan Sancet to a red card in the 54th minute after he was sent off for a crude challenge on Lopez.

Lewandowski, who scored the opener, said he will remember kicking the first goal at the team’s rebuilt Nou Camp stadium “forever”.

“Today was a special day, not only for me but for everyone. Because of this I’m very happy that I could score the first goal, coming back to the Nou Camp,” Lewandowski told Barca One.

“I have so much experience playing in different stadiums, but here is something special. I’m very proud of myself and also of the team because we did a great job today and we won.”

Robert Lewandowski in action.
Lewandowski (#9) opened the scoring against Athletic Bilbao after four minutes to get Barca’s inauguration party started at the Nou Camp after two and a half years playing away from their home stadium [Josep Lago/AFP]

What happened in the last UCL League Phase match for both clubs?

Chelsea were held to a shock 2-2 draw by Azerbaijan side Qarabag in their last outing on November 5, while Barcelona had to rally from a goal down and split the points in a 3-3 result against Club Brugge in Belgium.

Where do Chelsea and Barcelona sit on the UCL League Phase standings?

Barcelona are currently 11th on the UEFA League Phase standings with Chelsea right behind in 12th position. Both sides have two wins, one draw and one loss from their four fixtures.

Teams need to finish the League Phase standings in a top-eight position to secure direct qualification into the round of 16. Those clubs that finish in ladder positions 9-to-24 will enter into a home and away playoffs to reach the last-16.

Where did Barcelona finish in last season’s Champions League?

The Catalan club were widely expected to reach the Champions League final but were eliminated by Inter, who staged a late comeback in the second leg of their record-equalling semifinal.

Palmer out of Barca clash

Chelsea star Cole Palmer is close to returning but will miss the UCL clash with Barcelona before the top-of-the-table Premier League showdown against Arsenal, Maresca said on Monday.

Palmer, who suffered a groin injury in August before returning with back-to-back goals against Brentford and Bayern Munich, was nearing his comeback, but an accident at home delayed his return.

The 23-year-old England international stubbed his toe on a door during the night, resulting in a fracture.

“Cole is wearing a (protective) boot,” Maresca told reporters.

“We don’t know when he will be back but for sure it will be soon. He’s already on the pitch, he’s already touching the ball and the feeling (for him) is good.

“I don’t think he will be available for these two games (Barca and Arsenal), but he is doing well.”

Cole Palmer reacts.
Injured Chelsea star Cole Palmer is close to returning to the training pitch but will miss this week’s important Barcelona and Arsenal fixtures [File: Jan Kruger/Getty Images]

Barca’s Lopez showing summer suitors Chelsea what they missed

Fermin Lopez, 22, is establishing himself as a regular starter for manager Hansi Flick’s side, even though outside of Spain he is not yet a household name.

Chelsea know plenty about Lopez, though, having had a 40-million-euro ($46m) bid rebuffed by Barcelona in the summer. In Tuesday’s Champions League fixture, the attacking midfielder will be one of their main goal threats.

Flick was eager to keep Lopez, while Barca were open to selling him at the right price, which Chelsea did not reach.

“I’m convinced that he will stay, but in the end I don’t know what happens. We have to wait. I am really happy when the market is closed,” said Flick in August, eventually getting his wish.

Despite his improvement and obvious utility for Barca – or maybe even because of it – he is an asset the Catalan giants could cash in.

If he shines at Stamford Bridge, it would be no surprise to see Chelsea’s interest in the midfielder reawaken and his price tag rise further.

Barcelona's Spanish midfielder #16 Fermin Lopez scores his team's third goal during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club Bilbao at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona on November 22, 2025. (Photo by Lluis GENE / AFP)
Barcelona’s Spanish midfielder #16 Fermin Lopez is a rising star in La Liga [File: Lluis Gene/AFP]

Form guide: last five matches

Chelsea: W-L-W-W-W (Premier League, most recent result last)

Barcelona: W-L-W-W-W (La Liga, most recent result last)

Head-to-head: Chelsea-Barcelona

The two clubs have faced each other 14 times, with both teams winning four times while six ended as draws.

The sides last met at the round of 16 in the 2017-2018 Champions League with Barcelona progressing to the quarterfinals 4-1 on aggregate. Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi was the standout in the second leg with two goals – including his 100th UEFA Champions League goal – on the night.

Lionel Messi reacts.
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his 100th UEFA Champions League goal against Chelsea in their UEFA Champions League last-16 second leg match at the Nou Camp, Barcelona, Spain on March 14, 2018 [Albert Gea/Reuters]

Chelsea’s team news

Oft-injured Reece James was taken off at halftime of Saturday’s EPL fixture at Burnley, but the Chelsea captain’s early finish was preplanned and not the result of a new injury, according to Maresca, so he is expected to be available for team selection.

“The idea was to manage Reece,” said Maresca. “This is the reason why he played 45 minutes [only]. It was planned.

“It’s not easy, because me personally, I would like Reece to continue, but we need to protect Reece.”

French centre-back Wesley Fofana, who was omitted from the matchday squad against Burnley, is believed to be match fit ahead of the Barca clash.

Levi Colwill (knee), Dario Essugo (thigh) and Romeo Lavia (thigh) all remain sidelined for the Blues.

Chelsea’s possible starting XI

Sanchez (Goalkeeper); James, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Pedro, Garnacho; Delap

Barcelona’s team news

On-loan Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford missed Barca’s 4-0 victory over Bilbao on Saturday with illness but was back on the training pitch the following day, prompting rumours that he might suit up against Chelsea on Tuesday.

First-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will miss the fixture as he continues to recover from a back issue. Joan Garcia will stand in for the German.

Pedri (hamstring) and Gavi (knee) are unavailable for the La Liga champions.

Dynamic winger Raphinha, who returned on the weekend from a hamstring injury, is a strong possibility to regain his starting role against the Blues.

Barcelona’s possible starting XI

J. Garcia (goalkeeper); Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Casado, De Jong; Yamal, Lopez, Torres; Lewandowski

Barcelona's Marcus Rashford in action during the pre-La Liga season friendly soccer match between FC Barcelona and Como
Barcelona’s Marcus Rashford, who is battling illness, might still play in Tuesday’s important Champions League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge [File: Quique Garcia/EPA]

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Hannah Hampton: Chelsea and England goalkeeper to miss ‘few weeks’ with quad injury

Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor has confirmed goalkeeper Hannah Hampton will be sidelined “for a few weeks” with a quad injury.

England international Hampton picked up the injury in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal and she was left out of the Blues’ squad for their 6-0 win at Austrian side St Polten on Tuesday.

“We’ll see if we can see her before the end of the year, but I’m not sure,” Bompastor said on Friday.

Asked if Hampton was likely to miss England’s upcoming friendlies against China on 29 November and Ghana on 2 December, the Chelsea boss replied: “Yeah, it could be the case. Yes.”

The 24-year-old’s injury comes amid controversy over comments made by former England goalkeeper Mary Earps in her autobiography.

Earps, who was dropped by Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman in favour of Hampton before Euro 2025, described Hampton as being a “disruptive and unreliable” character.

In response to the comments, Bompastor backed her goalkeeper Hampton, saying she had shown “class” and that she felt Earps had disrespected Wiegman.

Hampton was replaced in goal by Swiss goalkeeper Livia Peng for Chelsea’s mid-week victory in the Women’s Champions League.

Chelsea, who face Liverpool on Sunday, are second in the Women’s Super League – one point behind leaders Manchester City.

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Sam Kerr ‘relishing every moment’ after first Chelsea start for 692 days

They say a week is a long time in football, never mind 99 of them.

Sam Kerr knows that all too well, as her 692-day wait to start a match for Chelsea came to an end on Tuesday.

After scoring in her side’s 3-1 Champions League victory against BK Hacken on 20 December 2023, Kerr’s career was rocked by injury.

An anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained during a warm-weather training camp in January 2024, followed by several setbacks, kept her out of competitive action until September this year.

After scoring twice in nine substitute appearances this season, Kerr made the most of her first start with two superbly taken goals in Chelsea’s 6-0 Champions League thrashing of Austrian side St Polten.

“It feels good. It felt like I had to work myself into it but yeah, happy to score,” Kerr told Disney+.

“Of course, I prefer to play more minutes. When you come on for 20 minutes it’s a bit hectic, there’s lots of subs and it can be a bit wishy-washy. I feel like today was good.

“I had a few chances in the first half. I’m just happy to be back out here playing in the Champions League again, with an amazing team. I’m relishing every moment.”

For a while it looked like it just wouldn’t be Kerr’s night.

She may have started two friendlies for Australia last month but her sharpness is still coming back and, in the first half, missed three chances she would be expected to take.

Her wayward finishing continued when she blazed over early in the second half, while her poorly timed run led to team-mate Naomi Girma’s first-half header being ruled out for offside.

Then emerged the Kerr Europe’s defenders hoped they might not see again.

A superb first touch from Wieke Kaptein’s cross got the ball out of her feet, before a sweeping right-foot strike left goalkeeper Carina Schluter helpless.

For her second, Kerr dropped back off the defensive line into space, adjusted to meet the flight of Niamh Charles’ cross and planted a header high into the net.

“It feels a bit sweeter but it feels a bit weird,” Kerr said on whether the feeling of scoring has changed after her injury.

“I didn’t score for so long that I was like I haven’t celebrated, really. I haven’t got that celebration thing yet. I’ve got to score a few more.”

Next Kerr will target a first WSL start since 17 December 2023. With Aggie Beever-Jones missing the last two games with a dead leg, it could come against Liverpool on Sunday.

“I feel 100% but I was out for a while, so I have to build myself up,” Kerr said.

“Today was a good set, right? Getting some good minutes in the national team was a good set. I’m definitely fit enough, it’s just about getting miles in the legs now. I’m ready to go.”

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Football Daily – UCL Debrief: Foden fireworks, Newcastle sparkles & Garnacho saves Chelsea

Available for 29 days

It was another successful night for Premier League clubs in the Champions League with wins for Manchester City who beat Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle who got the better of Athletic Club at St James Park – and a draw for Chelsea away to Qarabag in Baku.

Kelly Cates has all the reaction and is joined by Premier League legends Michael Brown, Leon Osman and Tim Krul. They start at the Etihad where Phil Foden and Erling Haaland dazzled again for Manchester City on bonfire night – and Pep Guardiola even pops on the pod to chat to John Murray after his side’s 4-1 victory.

Tim gives his thoughts on Joelinton and Dan Burn after they scored for his former side, giving Newcastle a 2 nil win.

And Chelsea came from 2-1 down to draw two all with their opponents, after Alejandro Garnacho got Chelsea’s second and proved that he was indeed the impact substitution that manager Enzo Maresca needed.

Timecodes:
00:40 – Manchester City section.
10:25 – Pep Guardiola with John Murray.
14:30 – Newcastle section.
18:08 – Eddie Howe interview.
22:35 – Chelsea chat.
29:53 – Enzo Maresca audio.

Thursday 6th November
EUROPA LEAGUE: Midtjylland v Celtic 1745 KO – LIVE ON SPORTS EXTRA
CONFERENCE LEAGUE: AEK Larnaca v Aberdeen 1745 KO – LIVE ON SPORTS EXTRA 2
EUROPA LEAGUE: Rangers v Roma 1945 KO – LIVE ON SPORTS EXTRA

Saturday 8th November
PREMIER LEAGUE: West Ham v Burnley 1500 KO – LIVE ON 5 LIVE
PREMIER LEAGUE: Everton v Fulham 1500 KO – LIVE ON SPORTS EXTRA
PREMIER LEAGUE: Sunderland v Arsenal 1730 KO – LIVE ON 5 LIVE
WSL: Arsenal v Chelsea 1200 KO – LIVE ON SPORTS EXTRA

Sunday 9th November
PREMIER LEAGUE: Nottingham Forest v Leeds United 1400 KO – LIVE ON 5 LIVE
PREMIER LEAGUE: Brentford v Newcastle 1400 KO – LIVE ON SPORTS EXTRA
PREMIER LEAGUE: Aston Villa v Bournemouth 1400 KO – LIVE ON SPORTS EXTRA 2
PREMIER LEAGUE: Crystal Palace v Brighton 1400 KO – LIVE ON SPORTS EXTRA 3
PREMIER LEAGUE: Manchester City v Liverpool 1630 KO – LIVE ON 5 LIVE

Programme Website

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