Matildas Abroad: Kerr and Foord score as WSL title race heats up

Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord found the back of the net in England; while Lyon kicked off their UWCL semi-finals with a win over PSG.

Chelsea and Arsenal are neck and neck in the WSL title race, with just one point between the two sides with less than a month left of the action.

Journey to 2023 - Thin Banner


Starting in England, fresh off their semi-final Women's FA Cup win, Manchester City hosted Leicester City.

Alanna Kennedy made the start for Gareth Taylor's City alongside Alex Greenwood in the centreback position. 

City took the lead just 16 minutes into the game, with Caroline Weir putting the hosts in front. 


Lauren Hemp and Julia Blakstad were also on the scoresheet before the half was up, giving City a 3-0 advantage going into the break. 

Greenwood found City's fourth from the spot, rounding out the 4-0 win over Leicester City. Hayley Raso remained an unused substitute on the bench in the win. 

Over in Reading, Mackenzie Arnold started in goal for West Ham United as they took on Reading FC. 

The sides went into the main break at a 0-0 deadlock, but a goal to Emma Snerle on the other side of the break for the Hammers gave them a 1-0 lead.


Yui Hasegawa doubled West Hams' advantage in the dying minutes of the game before Faye Bryson clawed one back for the hosts to finish the game 2-1. 

Tameka Yallop came off the bench in the 68th minute in the win. 

In London, Sam Kerr's Chelsea was trying to increase their lead at the top of the table when they took on Kyah Simon's Spurs side. 

Both Aussies made the start, but it was the side from Tottenham that found the opener. An own goal to Sophie Ingle putting the Spurs in front. 

Guro Reiten found the equaliser minutes later, however, matters got worse for the Blues, down to 10 players as Ann-Katrin Berger saw red after a challenge on Rachel Williams.


Kerr and Jessie Fleming rounded out the scoring in the 3-1 win, both finding the back of the net in the second half in what could be an all-important win to keep the Blues' title hopes alive. 

Next up, Emily Gielnik's Aston Villa held third-placed Manchester United to a 0-0 draw. 

Gielnik made the start, substituted off in the 67th minute in what could be a crucial point for the Villans. 

The last game in England saw Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord make the start for Arsenal against Everton. 

Foord had the opener in the back of the net shortly before the halftime interval. Beth Mead and Jordan Nobbs were also on the scoresheet, rounding out the 3-0 win for the Gunners to gain three points in the title race.


Arsenal sit just one point behind Chelsea, with both teams having three games remaining in the season. 

Lydia Williams remained an unused substitute on the bench in the win. 

Over in France, Ellie Carpenter's Lyon kicked off their UWCL semi-final run with a 3-2 win over French rivals Paris Saint-Germain.

PSG took the lead in virtually their first attack of the game, with Marie-Antoinette Katoto squeezing her shot past Christiane Endler in the sixth minute.

Skipper Wendie Renard, in her 100th UWCL appearance, found the equaliser from the spot. 


Catarina Macario scored a brace to seal the 3-2 win for Lyon, the reverse second leg will be played next Sunday (AEST) with Carpenter's Lyon in prime position to head back to the UWCL final. 

Carpenter played out the entire game for Lyon in the win. 

Over in the USA, the final game of the NWSL Challenge Cup group stage kicked off for Emily van Egmond's San Diego Wave FC.


Van Egmond made the start as San Diego held OL Reign to a 1-1 draw after Alex Morgan found the equaliser from the spot. 

Meanwhile, Alex Chidiac's Racing Louisville went down 2-1 to Houston Dash. 

Moving over to Sweden, three Aussies went to battle as Remy Siemsen's AIK hosted, Clare Polkinghorne and Katrina Gorry's Vittsjö GIK.

Recent debutants Siemsen and Gorry made the start for their respective clubs, with  Vittsjö GIK walking away 3-0 winners after Jutta Rantala notched a hat trick. 

Courtney Nevin and Kyra Cooney-Cross' Hammarby recorded their second win of the season, beating Umeå 2-0.

Nevin came off the bench in the win, while Cooney-Cross is still awaiting her debut after recovering from an injury. 

The last game in Sweden involving Aussies saw Teagan Micah and Charli Grant's FC Rosengård take on BK Häcken.


Micah made the start for FC Rosengård, with her side holding on for a 2-2 draw with rivals Häcken. 

Grant came off the bench in the 94th minute to see out the win. 

In Denmark, Clare Wheeler, Angie Beard and Indi-Paige Riley's Fortuna Hjørring held KoldingQ to a 1-1 draw. 

Fortuna Hjørring maintains their spot in second place in the Championship Round on 10 points, with HB Køge sitting above them on 13 points. 

Our last stop takes us to Italy, with Aivi Luik and Ella Mastrantonio's Pomigliano Calcio going down 6-2 to AC Milan.