Football: Kerr double keeps Chelsea two points clear of Man City

Chelsea striker Sam Kerr struck twice in a 2-0 home win over Aston Villa on Sunday to restore a two-point lead at the top of the Women's Super League, with Fran Kirby setting up both goals.

Kerr put the hosts in front after 24 minutes, outmuscling Asmita Ale to get a glancing header on Kirby's pinpoint cross, and the Australian sealed the three points with her second in the 57th minute, again assisted by England midfielder Kirby.

Chelsea regained first place after Manchester City briefly went top following their 1-0 victory over Reading on Saturday thanks to an 87th-minute winner from Chloe Kelly.

Earlier on Saturday, Lauren James and Christen Press helped Manchester United beat bottom side West Ham United 2-0 in the first WSL game to be played at Old Trafford, while Arsenal thumped Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 away in the north London derby.

Bristol City's recent good form continued on Sunday as they drew 1-1 with visiting Birmingham City to stay ahead of West Ham and Villa at the foot of the table, while Hayley Raso netted a hat-trick in Everton's 5-0 demolition of Brighton & Hove Albion.

With four games left Chelsea lead the table on 47 points ahead of Manchester City with 45 and nine in front of Manchester United. Arsenal are fourth on 35 points with a game in hand.

(Reporting by Philip O'Connor; Editing by Ken Ferris)

-reuters-

Football: Mewis named U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year

Midfielder Samantha Mewis has been named the 2020 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year, capping a year in which she excelled for clubs in the U.S. and England, in addition to the U.S. National Team.

Mewis, 28, played in eight of the nine games for the U.S. National Team, starting six and scoring four goals, all coming at the 2020 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying tournament, where she posted consecutive two-goal games against Costa Rica and Mexico.

She also played well in the NWSL Challenge Cup for the North Carolina Courage before moving to England, where she joined Manchester City in August. 

She played 17 matches for Manchester City and scored six goals -- three in the FA Women's Super League, two in the FA Cup and one in the Champions League.

Mewis helped lead Manchester City to a 3-1 win over Everton to claim the FA Cup, becoming just the second American woman -- and third American -- to score in an FA Cup final, joining Carli Lloyd (2017) and Christian Pulisic (2020).

"It's obviously a huge honor to be a part of the list of players that have won this award in the past," Mewis, the 17th member of the U.S. National Team to win the honor, said in a statement.

"It should go without saying that it's the team that does the work on the field and I just have so much respect for the other nominees this year and all my teammates."

-reuters-