Matildas Abroad Review: Kerr and Yallop at the double to secure wins, Gielnik nets first for Villa

With the international break now over, the Commonwealth Bank Matildas were back in action to help their club sides secure wins, with three Matildas on the scoresheet.

The FA Women's Super League saw Australians score goals, make stunning debuts and pick up some valuable three points in an action-packed weekend. 

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Sam Kerr added to her account for the new season, scoring a brace in Chelsea's 6-1 win over Manchester United. Kerr provided the assist for Chelsea's first goal just 90 seconds into the fixture, teeing up Fran Kirby for the opener. 

Kirby returned the favour for Kerr, setting up both her goals either side of halftime. Chelsea sit in fourth place and are back to their dominant ways, with a midweek FA Women's Cup Quarter-Final against Birmingham City next up for the Blues. 

Tameka Yallop made her WSL debut for West Ham and made it one to remember, picking up a brace for The Hammers. Yallop opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark and then found West Ham's fourth in their 4-0 showing of Leicester City. Mackenzie Arnold made her third appearance for West Ham, picking up her first clean sheet of the season. 

Emily Gielnik opened her account for Aston Villa, finding their lone goal in their 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. Gielnik struck soon after halftime at Brighton, muscling off two defenders and chipping the Brighton goalkeeper. 

Coach Carla Ward had nothing but praise for Gielnik's display, joking that she was about to substitute her off before the goal,

"Listen I was about to take her off because she said she's got a broken toe at halftime. The way she took it was sensational and that's a striker finish," Ward said. 

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Spurs were 1-0 winners over Reading with the winner coming late in the game, Kyah Simon missed the win after injuring her hamstring against Manchester City before the international break. 

The round ended with another Aussie v Aussie battle. Alanna Kennedy came into the starting XI for Manchester City while Hayley Raso remains sidelined with a shoulder complaint. Steph Catley started for Arsenal, and it was the hosts that would pick up all bragging rights dismantling City in a 5-0 win to head to the top of the table. 

Caitlin Foord made her first WSL appearance of the season, coming off the bench in the 78th minute. While Lydia Williams was an unused substitute.

Elsewhere in Europe, Ellie Carpenter's Lyon continued their blistering start to the season, making it four from four and not conceding a single goal so far in the season. Carpenter picked up an assist in Lyon's 4-0 win over Guingamp, setting up Melvine Malard for the opener just three minutes in. 

Meanwhile, Mary Fowler's Montpellier picked up a win away from home, beating Stade Reims 4-1. An ankle injury kept Fowler out of the matchday squad. 

Moving over to Denmark, after their CommBank Matildas debut during the week Angie Beard and Clare Wheeler started for Fortuna Hjørring in a 2-2 draw against ladder leaders HB Køge. 

Indiah-Paige Riley played the last 30 minutes, while Alex Huynh was on the bench.


Jenna McCormick played all 90 minutes in AGF 3-1 loss to FC Nordsjælland. 

In Sweden, Winonah Heatley and Dylan Holmes were on the bench as their two clubs faced off, with the game ending in a 1-1 draw with neither player making an appearance.

Clare Polkinghorne and her side, Vittsjö, managed a 1-1 draw with Piteå. Polkinghorne played a full 90 minutes for her side.

Damallsvenskan leaders, FC Rosengård also had a 1-1 draw, unable to secure the win at home against Kristianstads DFF. Teagan Micah started in goals, while Charli Grant was an unused substitute.

In the Netherlands, Amy Harrison came off the bench in PSV 2-1 win over reigning Eredivisie champions Twente.

 
Our final destination takes us to Japan, with Alex Chidiac making her starting debut for JEF United Chiba.

JEF went down 2-0 INAC Kobe Leonessa away from home, with Chidiac playing the first half and getting some crucial minutes for her new side.