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Matildas battle to be English champions

3 minute read

Chelsea's Sam Kerr and Arsenal's Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Lydia Williams all have a chance of being crowned English soccer champions.

SAMANTHA KERR.
SAMANTHA KERR. Picture: Daniel Carson/Getty Images

At least one Matilda will be left waltzing in London as the Women's Super League season ends with four Australian internationals duelling for the title.

Chelsea's Sam Kerr is full of nerves as she sets out to cap a landmark week in which she collected the prestigious FWA player of the year award by lifting a third straight English title with the Blues.

But across the city on Sunday, the Australian captain's national teammates Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Lydia Williams will also be seeking to snatch the trophy for Arsenal.

It's all down to two 'high noon' matches taking place 40km apart as Chelsea host Manchester United at Kingsmeadow and Arsenal visit West Ham, for whom another Matilda Tameka Yallop could also play a part in the drama.

The equation is straightforward for Chelsea. With a one point lead, they need only to match Arsenal's result to retain their crown but fourth-placed United present a formidable obstacle for Kerr's team, who have been labouring of late.

"I've been nervous all week because I care so much and want to win so much," Kerr told Sky Sports after collecting her player of the year award on Thursday.

"We're Chelsea - we wouldn't have it any other way. I'd much rather be in our position than anyone else's with it being in our hands.

"And at the same time, this was the same title race last year with Man City, we're used to this so this is not new and we're going to enjoy it."

Kerr, who's scored 23 in 25 matches in all competitions this year, is set to end the season by retaining the Golden Boot as the WSL's top scorer after so far netting 18 league goals.

She reckoned she'd be enjoying her usual, tried-and-trusted pre-match preparation before kickoff.

"I'm very superstitious, I just like to have the same meal the night before - spaghetti bolognese - and, in the morning, lots of coffee. And then just relax, chill.

"I've been wearing the same boots that are just well past their wear and people have been saying they're dirty! But we're winning - so there's no way I'm throwing those boots out.

"I also have a pair of socks that are my lucky socks but they broke but I've still been carrying them around in my bag - just weird stuff that footballers do."

It's not just been a big week for Kerr but also for Arsenal's Catley, who's signed a contract extension with the Gunners.

"Probably too keen!" she told the club's website www.arsenal.com, when asked about her desire to lift her first trophy with the north London side.

"I would really love to achieve something with this team. I think we really deserve it and the football we've been playing in the last few weeks in particular has been really, really good."

While goalie Williams is set for a place on the subs' bench, on-song Foord is set to be key for Arsenal after her double in the key midweek win over Tottenham.

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