Sonia Bompastor, the Chelsea head coach, has called for goalline technology to be introduced in the Women's Super League next season after Sam Kerr was controversially denied a hat-trick during a 4-1 victory over Everton.
Match Overview
The Chelsea and Australia striker scored two clinical low finishes, either side of a long-range drive from Everton's Yuka Momiki, to put Chelsea 2-1 ahead. Replays showed that Kerr should have been awarded a third goal when her header bounced off the post, crossed the line, and was then flicked away by Everton goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan.
Despite the controversy, Chelsea scored twice more to secure the win. Ellie Carpenter poked in for 3-1, and Erin Cuthbert drove in a low finish late on. The result greatly strengthened Chelsea's hopes of Champions League qualification, especially after rivals Manchester United were held to a 0-0 draw at Tottenham.
Bompastor's Call for Technology
Had the goal been given, Kerr would have become Chelsea's leading WSL goalscorer. Instead, her strikes saw her move level on 63 WSL goals for the club alongside former teammate Fran Kirby. Bompastor expressed her frustration during the post-match press conference.
“She levelled the most league goals with Fran Kirby but in reality she went top because that goal was a clear goal. I think it just shows again, we need to have the technology next season in this league,” said Bompastor. “The league is the most competitive league in the world and we need to be at a really good level in terms of these decisions. We won the game by a three-goal difference so it didn’t create a lot of conversations, but if we had been in a situation where the goal-difference at the end of the season would have been important, then this goal is something I would have been really upset about. So that’s mainly the reason, we need the technology for things to be fair for everyone.”
European Race and Relegation Battle
United's draw left their European hopes out of their hands, four points behind with two rounds of league games remaining. Chelsea would be assured of a Champions League spot if they beat struggling Leicester City next Sunday.
Leicester, meanwhile, look increasingly destined to face a playoff to avoid relegation after a 5-1 defeat at London City Lionesses. Second-from-bottom West Ham won 1-0 at Liverpool to move seven points clear of Leicester, who have three games left.
Other Results
Portsmouth were relegated from WSL2 to the third tier following a 1-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest, coupled with Ipswich's shock 3-0 win against league leaders Birmingham City. Birmingham had known a victory would all-but mathematically guarantee promotion, but they now face a nail-biting final-day meeting with promotion rivals Charlton. Crystal Palace also moved level on points with Birmingham after their win at Sunderland.
