Sam Kerr has made an instant impact in an eventful Women's Super League debut for Chelsea, though it could have ended in disaster just 18 minutes into a 3-1 win.
Kerr was wiped out by a shocking challenge from Reading goalkeeper Grace Moloney, who rushed out of her area before clattering the Matildas forward who was clean through on goal.
The Australian — the all-time top scorer in the W-League and the American NWSL — was sent spinning through the air and landed nastily on the turf in a challenge that forced the referee to show Moloney a straight red card.
Kerr required treatment on her left shoulder but was eventually deemed fit enough to continue at Kingsmeadow.
Having already missed a gilt-edged chance in the opening 90 seconds. Kerr's star quality shone through when she laid on a deft backheel to assist Beth England for Chelsea's equaliser.
Kerr missed another chance when through on goal, seeing her shot saved, but watched on as the deflection off the substitute keeper fell to Guro Reiten, who scored a stunning lob off the rebound to put Chelsea 2-1 up.
After Chelsea scored its third, Kerr was substituted off on the 77th minute to a round of applause.
Kerr joined Chelsea in November from Chicago Red Stars on a two-and-a-half-year deal and was only eligible to play in the second half of the WSL season.
