Sam Kerr becomes Chelsea's all-time WSL top scorer as Blues secure Champions League spot

Key facts

• Sam Kerr scored her 64th WSL goal for Chelsea, becoming the club's all-time leading scorer in the league and surpassing Fran Kirby's previous record.
• Kerr's goal came in the 3-1 win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on May 3, 2026.
• Lauren James scored twice in five first-half minutes, both from outside the box, to seal the victory.
• The result secures Chelsea's qualification for the 2026/27 UEFA Women's Champions League.
• Chelsea have now won five consecutive matches in all competitions.
• Kerr is expected to leave Chelsea this summer when her contract expires, making this likely her final season at the club.
• Chelsea face Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final next weekend at Stamford Bridge.
• Manchester City were confirmed as WSL champions on the same day.

A milestone in likely farewell season

Sam Kerr rose to meet Niamh Charles's floated delivery with perfect timing, powering a header past Leicester's goalkeeper to score her 64th Women's Super League goal for Chelsea. The strike, in the 13th minute at the King Power Stadium, made the Australian the club's all-time leading WSL scorer, surpassing Fran Kirby's long-standing record. Kerr, 32, has been sidelined for 20 months with an ACL injury and struggled to return to her pre-injury form. But since March, when she scored four goals for Australia at the Asia Cup, she has averaged 1.4 goal contributions per game. Sunday's goal was her third consecutive WSL match with a goal, a feat she last achieved in May 2023. After the match, Kerr posted a selfie video to fans, saying, 'I'm absolutely honoured, it's been amazing to score 64 goals in front of all of you - let's finish off the season strong.' The message reinforced widespread expectation that this will be her final season at Chelsea, with her contract expiring this summer.

James double seals victory and Champions League berth

Lauren James added two goals in the space of five first-half minutes to put the result beyond doubt. Her first came after a clever turn on the edge of the box, curling a shot into the top corner. The second was a deft free-kick that kissed the underside of the crossbar on its way in. 'It was quite close and a few people probably thought I wouldn't go over the wall, but the keeper gave me the other side and it went top corner,' James said of the free-kick. 'For the first, it just opened up and I thought I should hit it. I'm very happy, and hopefully next time I can get a hat-trick, but two will do for today!' The 3-1 win secured Chelsea's qualification for the 2026/27 UEFA Women's Champions League, a primary objective for the club. 'Everyone is really happy we have got the win and got Champions League, which is obviously one of our main goals,' James added.

Title race concludes as Manchester City crowned champions

While Chelsea celebrated their Champions League qualification, Manchester City were confirmed as WSL champions on the same day. The title race, which had been tightly contested, ended with City securing the crown in the penultimate matchweek. Chelsea's victory over Leicester, combined with City's results, means the Blues will finish as runners-up. The team's run of five consecutive wins in all competitions has built momentum heading into the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City next weekend at Stamford Bridge. 'This win is big for confidence,' James said. 'Hopefully we can just keep building momentum from this game and the past games and take it back to Stamford Bridge and play our game there. Trophies are what Chelsea do as a club and to be up for another one is massive.'

Leicester's relegation confirmed ahead of final match

Leicester City entered the match already relegated from the WSL, mirroring the fate of their men's team, which had also been relegated. The Foxes' starting eleven featured Keane in goal, with Kees, Tierney (captain), Van Egmond, Jansson, Ale, Thibaud, Mayling, Cain, O'Brien, and Swaby. Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor fielded a 4-3-3 formation with Peng in goal; Carpenter, Bronze, Buchanan, and Charles in defense; Potter, Cuthbert (captain), and Kaptein in midfield; and Kaneryd, Kerr, and James up front. The match was officiated by referee Ade Soneye and broadcast live on BBC Two in the UK.

Kerr's legacy and what comes next

Kerr's record-breaking goal was typical of her career at Chelsea: a perfectly timed run, physical dominance in the air, and a clinical finish. Her double movement makes her exceptionally hard to track, and even when defenders manage to get touch-tight, her aerial power ensures she is rarely beaten to a header. Since joining Chelsea in 2020, Kerr has been revered as one of the most fearsome forwards in the game. Her 64 league goals, achieved despite a 20-month injury layoff, cement her status as a club legend. With her contract expiring this summer, Sunday's match may have been her final appearance at the King Power Stadium in a Chelsea shirt. Chelsea now turn their attention to the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City, a chance to add another trophy to their cabinet. The match at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, May 10, will be a rematch of the title race and a test of whether Chelsea can end the season with silverware despite losing the league crown.

The bottom line

• Sam Kerr is now Chelsea's all-time leading WSL scorer with 64 goals, surpassing Fran Kirby's record.
• Chelsea secured Champions League qualification for 2026/27 with a 3-1 win over Leicester City.
• Lauren James scored a brace in five minutes to seal the victory.
• Manchester City were confirmed as WSL champions on the same day.
• Kerr is expected to leave Chelsea this summer when her contract expires.
• Chelsea face Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final next weekend at Stamford Bridge.