Sam Kerr and Pernille Harder have agreed on the 'awesome' atmosphere in the UEFA Women's Champions League clash on Wednesday night between Chelsea Women and Vllaznia.
Although the Blues ran out 8-0 winners in their Group A clash at Kingsmeadow, the few hundreds of Vllaznia fans that made the long trip over from Albania continued to make their presence felt throughout the 90.
So much so that after goals number seven and eight, in traditional Eastern European style, flares were thrown onto the pitch and therefore halted proceedings in the last 10 minutes or so of the contest.
"[It's a] first at Kingsmeadow. First in a Chelsea Women's game since I've been here," Emma Hayes's assistant Paul Green revealed. They travelled in numbers. They added to a great atmosphere, maybe got a little bit carried away throwing things on the pitch, but in the main, I thought they added to the atmosphere."
READ MORE: Chelsea Women breeze past Vllaznia in the UEFA Women's Champions League as Sam Kerr nets four
Despite the disruption and harm these unsavoury scenes caused to stewards and home fans alike, especially goalkeeper Zecira Musovic who was nearest to the ultras behind her goal in the second half, Kerr, who netted four goals on the night, labelled the atmosphere 'awesome.'
She reflected: "I loved it. I thought it was awesome. I was thinking of stirring them up, but I was like, 'Nah, people may take that the wrong way.'
"I think that is what makes football so great, the home and away fans. When I scored the second goal, I was thinking about it, but I'd better not because people would take it the wrong way, even if it was in good heart.
"I thought they were excellent. Even when they threw those smoke bombs on the field, I loved it."
Hat-trick compatriot Pernille Harder, who scored one less than the Aussie on Wednesday night, added: "Yes, that was a lot of fans from their team, so it was great."
With just how loud and raucous the Albanians, who made up a good chunk of the 3,022 fans in attendance, were in contrast to the home faithful who tried to tease them with chants like 'you are not singing anymore', one of Kerr's thoughts in her mind may not have only caused a bit of trouble but with have certainly stirred up a storm amongst the passionate Eastern Europeans.
"It wasn't on my mind, but at half-time, Millie [Bright] said, 'if you get the hat-trick, could you please do the backflip," the 29-year-old explained her thoughts behind her hat-trick goal celebration.
"I haven't done one here in a long time, and that was my first Champions League hat-trick, so although the score, I scored three, I'm still a player who just loves to score. To net my first Champions League hat-trick will be a night I remember forever.
"I thought about it [celebrating] in front of the away fans, but people as sensitive nowadays."
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