Sam Kerr was hailed a “born goalscorer” after her four goals helped Chelsea thrash Vllaznia to continue their strong start in the Women’s Champions League.
The Blues followed up their impressive victory at Paris Saint-Germain last week with a comfortable 8-0 win against a visiting side backed by 420 travelling Albanian fans.
Kerr scored twice either side of half-time and saved her familiar backflip celebration for her fourth. Pernille Harder also hit a hat-trick, while Katerina Svitkova scored her first Chelsea goal.
“I haven’t done a backflip here in a long time and this was my first in the Champions League,” said Kerr. “Scoring my first Champions League hat-trick is a night I will remember forever.”
Kerr was the top scorer in the Women’s Super League last season with 20 goals, but before last night she had scored only once in five games this term.
Chelsea general manager Paul Green, leading the team alongside Denise Reddy while Emma Hayes recovers from emergency surgery, said: “Sam is a born goalscorer. We had no doubt she would score goals this season.”
On a good night for Chelsea, Fran Kirby made a welcome return off the bench after recovering from illness.
Victory gives the Blues a two-point lead at the top of Group A over Real Madrid, who they next play at home on November 23.
