<h2>Sam Kerr Scores 100th Chelsea Goal in Epic Return - Three Point Summary:&nbsp;</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>-Sam Kerr scored her 100th Chelsea goal in a dramatic comeback from a 20-month ACL injury layoff</p> <p>-Australian striker netted crucial third goal as substitute in 3-1 WSL victory over Aston Villa</p> <p>- The Matildas captain's return boosts hopes for international comeback ahead of home Asian Cup in March 2026</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Matildas superstar Sam Kerr marked her emotional Chelsea return with her 100th club goal after conquering a devastating ACL injury.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sam Kerr's Milestone Comeback Goal</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The 32-year-old Australian striker's return to competitive football couldn't have been scripted better. After 634 days on the sidelines recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in December 2023, Kerr entered Chelsea's clash against Aston Villa as a 75th-minute substitute with her side leading 2-1.</p> <p>Within minutes of stepping onto the Villa Park pitch, the Matildas captain demonstrated why she remains one of women's football's most lethal finishers. Kerr pounced on a loose ball inside the penalty area during injury time, firing home from close range to seal Chelsea's 3-1 victory and reach the significant milestone of 100 goals in just 128 appearances for the Blues.</p> <p>"I'm a goal-scorer, that's what I love doing, and those 100 goals represent a lot of hard work, dedication, and sacrifices to get there," Kerr reflected after the emotional moment. The striker's immediate impact off the bench proved decisive in securing Chelsea's second consecutive Women's Super League victory of the season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Chelsea's Perfect Start Under New Management</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor had tantalizingly hinted at Kerr's potential involvement during her pre-match press conference, stating fans would "hopefully" see the Australian in action. The French manager's cautious approach paid dividends as Kerr's introduction provided the perfect finale to a hard-fought away victory.</p> <p>The London club's early-season form has been impressive, with Aggie Beever-Jones opening the scoring before Ebony Salmon equalised for Villa. A Missy Bo Kearns own-goal restored Chelsea's advantage before Kerr's landmark strike sealed the points. Fellow Matilda Ellie Carpenter also featured prominently in the victory, highlighting Australia's growing influence in English women's football.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australian Stars Shine Across WSL</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Kerr's triumphant return coincided with another stellar weekend for Australian players throughout the Women's Super League. Matildas defenders Clare Hunt and substitute Charli Grant helped Tottenham maintain their perfect start to the campaign with a commanding 2-0 victory over Everton, where Clare Wheeler started for the Toffees.</p> <p>Leicester City's Emily van Egmond continued her excellent form by scoring the match-winner in a 1-0 triumph over Liverpool, condemning the Reds to their second consecutive defeat. Manchester United, featuring Matildas defender Alanna Kennedy in their ranks despite playing for London City Lionesses in this fixture, climbed to the WSL summit following a comprehensive 5-1 victory.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Matildas Future Beckons</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The timing of Kerr's return proves crucial with new Matildas coach Joe Montemurro preparing for upcoming fixtures against Wales and England next month. The striker's potential international comeback looms large ahead of the Asian Cup, which Australia will host in March 2025.</p> <p>After 20 months of rehabilitation and uncertainty, Kerr's emotional Chelsea return and immediate goal-scoring impact suggest she's ready to reclaim her status as one of the world's premier strikers. For Australian football fans, watching their captain score her 100th Chelsea goal marked the perfect end to a challenging journey back to the top level.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>