After 634 days of waiting, Chelsea women's football forward Sam Cole returned. She made a substitute in the women's Premier League match against Villa this afternoon and scored the 100th goal of the Blues' career.
In January 2024, Cole suffered a knee injury and was treated for surgery during a winter training camp in Morocco. The road to recovery that began since then is full of hardships and challenges.
With full participation in the Blues' pre-season preparations, Cole is ready to make a comeback in the new season opening game. Although it was on the bench against Manchester City, coach Sonia Bonpasto did not send her to the court.
31-year-old Cole was once again on the roster in this round of away match between Villa and made a substitute in the 75th minute of the game. She replaced Johanna Retin Caneloude, and Chelsea fans who played away were cheering Cole for the return.
This is the first time Kerr has played for Chelsea since scoring against BK Haken in the Champions League in December 2023. That goal is her 99th goal for Chelsea. Despite the long wait for the 100-goal milestone, she still wrote history in the return game with goals.
When Villa failed to clear the corner kick, Cole happened to appear in a fatal position, and a shot pierced through Ellie Robert's fingers, securing a 3-1 victory for Chelsea. Chelsea won two consecutive Premier League wins in the new season.