"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."
"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."
"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."
Sam Kerr ended a 692-day wait to start for Chelsea, returning from an anterior cruciate ligament injury in January 2024 and several setbacks that kept her out until September. She had scored twice in nine substitute appearances this season before converting two superbly taken goals in Chelsea's 6-0 Champions League win over St Polten. Kerr missed several chances early as her sharpness returned, and an offside run nullified a Naomi Girma header. Her first goal came from a superb first touch and sweeping right-foot strike, and her second was a high header from a Niamh Charles cross. Kerr said she was happy to score and relishing her return.
Read at www.bbc.com
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