Sam Kerr scored a late equalizer to help Chelsea Women produce one of the close football scores of the weekend in the Women’s Super League. Arsenal came agonizingly close to taking down Chelsea for the first time, but Jelena Cankovic set up Kerr for the game-winning goal in the dying seconds. The Emirates Stadium erupted in “1-0 to the Arsenal,” a slogan that has become synonymous with the Gunners. With only two shots on target compared to Arsenal’s seven, substitute Cankovic helped underwhelming Chelsea win the match by giving Kerr the support she had been yearning all evening. In the 89th minute, the attacker slipped between Leah Williamson and Rafaelle to force a bullet header past Manuela Zinsberger, salvaging a point for Emma Hayes’ team and immediately quieting the 46,811-strong Emirates crowd.
Despite manager Hayes calling Chelsea’s approach play “woeful” after the game, Kerr had remained virtually unnoticed throughout the game. However, a striker of her caliber only needs one opportunity to establish herself as a leader in a match. After Caitlin Foord was clumsily stopped by Niamh Charles, the hosts had most of the possession but were unable to score until skipper Little easily sent Zecira Musovic the wrong way from the spot in the 57th minute. Although the foul was clearly called, closer examination and many replays revealed that the initial collision took place outside of the box.
Little swiftly converted the penalty kick as Arsenal finally made their domination count for something. Referee Emily Heaslip quickly pointed to the spot. Before the tenacious Blues came alive in the closing minutes, Musovic was kept busy by Steph Catley’s long-range effort and tipped it into the crossbar. A crisp long ball was sent into the box by Cankovic, who made an almost immediate impact off the bench, and Kerr skillfully nodded it in to earn a crucial point.
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