On May 3, 2026, at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, Sam Kerr scored her 64th goal in the Women’s Super League, breaking Fran Kirby’s record and propelling Chelsea FC Women into the Champions League for next season. This achievement came during a critical match against Leicester City, which has struggled throughout the season.
Leicester City has had a challenging year, earning only nine points from 20 league matches—less than half of what they achieved last year. They confirmed their relegation after suffering a heavy 7-0 defeat to Arsenal just days before facing Chelsea.
Chelsea needed just one point from their remaining two matches to guarantee their place in next season’s prestigious tournament. Manager Emma Hayes emphasized the importance of this game, stating, “Should Sam Kerr score today, she would overtake Fran Kirby’s record of 63 to become our highest scorer in the Women’s Super League.”
Kerr’s remarkable performance not only secured Chelsea’s Champions League spot but also highlighted her potential departure as she is rumored to be considering a move back to the United States. Observers noted that this could be her penultimate appearance in the WSL.
In contrast, Leicester City faced another uphill battle after their recent loss. The team has only won twice this season and must now prepare for relegation playoffs against Charlton from WSL 2. A source close to the team remarked, “Leicester came into this encounter off the back of a brutal 7-0 loss to Arsenal…” This loss left them needing to regroup quickly.
Meanwhile, Chelsea celebrated not just Kerr’s milestone but also their second-place finish in the Women’s Super League, solidifying their position among the top teams. They have also secured victory in this season’s League Cup.
As Chelsea looks ahead, they will aim to build on this success and continue their strong performance in upcoming matches. With Millie Bright retiring from professional football, new leadership will be essential for maintaining their competitive edge.
With Aggie Beever-Jones returning from injury and ready for selection, Chelsea appears well-prepared for their final matches of the season. The team is eager to capitalize on their current momentum as they set sights on future championships.
Kwame Ofori
Evelyn Mensah
Yaw Appiah
Ama Serwah