EMMA HAYES hailed “selfless” Sam Kerr for giving Chelsea’s fans a winning welcome home by grabbing a hat-trick against West Ham.
But the Blues were given a second-half fright with an own goal and a Rachel Daly strike before dispatching the Hammers.
Sam Kerr was on fire for Chelsea – who are now three points behind leaders Manchester United after beating West HamCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The 3-2 result left Hayes’s players 27 games undefeated in the top-flight.
And it leaves the Hammers – who played their first game under interim boss Billy Stewart – third from bottom.
Hayes said: “Sam is a great player and one that always puts the team ahead of herself.
“We have been working hard with her behind the scenes to make sure that Sam recognises when to be selfish and when to be selfless.
“I could say the same about the other forwards and I give real credit to Beth (England) and Fran (Kirby) too for Sam’s hat-trick.”
The derby encounter was the first game Chelsea played in front of their home crowd since the Covid crisis curtailed the 2019-20 season.
Fran Kirby (left) made her long-awaited return after recovering from an ankle injuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Blues fans returned to Kingsmeadow for the first time since February Credit: Getty Images – Getty
And Hayes paid tribute to Blues fans for giving her side “momentum” and cheering Fran Kirby’s return following an ankle injury.
Hayes added: “For me, there was no coincidence in the momentum. Hearing the crowd drove the team.
“Fran has waited for this for a while and has been desperate to see the fans. For her it is another big milestone.”
West Ham started positively with two corners and a dangerous Daly free-kick causing problems in the opening ten minutes.
But it was the champs who netted first with Fran Kirby feeding a neat low cross to Sam Kerr for Chelsea’s 15th-minute opener.
However the gutsy Hammers refused to be bowed.
And they should have snatched an equaliser two minutes later with Daly forcing a superb shot block from Ann Katrin-Berger.
It was only two minutes into the second-half when Birthday girl Daly levelled proceedings with a tap-in following a dazzling run and cross from Adriana Leon.
Rachel Daly (left) netted the first of West Ham’s two goals Credit: Getty Images – Getty
And it looked as if the game was put to bed when Kerr netted twice in the final 35 minutes to extend title-holders lead to 3-1.
However, Magdalena Eriksson’s deflection saw the Hammers reduce the deficit before their defeat.
Stewart said: “To still be in with a chance of getting a goal against Chelsea with the last kick of the game shows a massive, massive plus for this club.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
