Following their return from the international break, the FA Women’s Super League saw an exciting week of women’s football. It was a week of firsts — Sam Kerr notched her first hat trick for Chelsea, and Alex Morgan netted her first goal for Tottenham — while Manchester City cemented their status as a “Big Three” squad.

Below is a breakdown of everything we learned.

1) Sam Kerr is an elite goal-scorer, regardless of what league she is playing in 

One of the most prominent storylines from this past weekend was Sam Kerr’s performance in Chelsea’s match against West Ham United. The Australian bagged a hat trick in the contest, and has totaled six goals in seven matches for her squad this season. Though it took Kerr a while to get settled into the Women’s Super League upon her signing with Chelsea a little over a year ago, there is no question that she is a force on offense, no matter what league she is playing in.

One, two, three ????

A first @ChelseaFCW hat-trick for @samkerr1 ????#BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/uodAy7Kvzf

— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) December 6, 2020

Taking a look at Kerr’s playing history, she has been nothing short of an all-world striker in stints with the Chicago Red Stars, Sky Blue FC, and the Western New York Flash of the NWSL; the Australian national team; and Perth Glory FC. Her stats speak for themselves — most notably, Kerr netted 28 goals in 40 appearances for Sky Blue FC in only three seasons, 52 goals in 49 appearances for Perth Glory between 2014 and 2019, 11 goals in 26 appearances for the Australian national team, and a dazzling 35 goals in 43 matches for the Chicago Red Stars. In fact, Kerr still holds the record for the most goals scored by a player in an NWSL regular season and was named the NWSL league MVP in 2017 and 2019. She’s also the all-time leading goalscorer in both NWSL and W-League history.

Sam Kerr named 2019 #NWSL MVP, making the Chicago Red Stars forward the first two-time winner of the award:

➡️ https://t.co/kB8peg4jtA

????: @LewisNC pic.twitter.com/u5LLuCYkKQ

— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) October 25, 2019

Given her impressive past, it should come as no surprise that the 27-year-old superstar is making strides on offense for Chelsea. Following Saturday’s performance, Kerr said of her hat trick: “It’s my first hat-trick for the club so I’m really excited about that,” before politely deflecting credit to her fellow teammates. “It’s nice playing with players like Fran [Kirby], Pernille [Harder], and Bethany [England]. Every day in training we score goals like today.”

‘It’s my first hat-trick for the club so I’m really excited about that.' - @SamKerr1????

— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) December 7, 2020

Many are calling Kerr’s hat trick “the first of many,” which is indicative of how far her reputation precedes her. Fans expect her to score goals, no matter the opponent. Sunday’s performance was further proof of Kerr’s consistency. From the NWSL, to the W-League, to the FAWSL, Kerr has made it apparent that she’s a threat to go off whenever she steps foot on the field.

2) Alex Morgan is starting to find her groove

Also marking the scoresheet this weekend was Alex Morgan, lifting Tottenham Hotspur to their first win (!) of the 2020/2021 season. Converting from the penalty spot, Morgan’s goal was her first for club or country since the birth of her daughter, sealing the dominant 3-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion for her team. The goal also comes as a bit of sweet redemption, following a missed PK in a match prior that saw the USWNT star catch quite a bit of heat from English soccer fans.

???? The moment we've all been waiting for!

???????? A first #BarclaysFAWSL goal for @alexmorgan13 from the penalty spot to give @SpursWomen a third!

???? Things you just love to see! pic.twitter.com/m2NoSXeCoo

— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) December 6, 2020

After many near-scoring chances (including one in the recent USWNT friendly that was called offsides), Sunday’s goal was the breakthrough Morgan needed as she progresses in her playing career with Tottenham. As Doug McIntyre reported for Yahoo! Sports, the Spurs are unbeaten in the three matches that Morgan has appeared in, tying against Reading FC and Bristol City before finally adding a win this weekend. Following the victory, it looks as if the tables are finally starting to turn for the Spurs, as they advance to ninth place in the league over West Ham United, Aston Villa, and Bristol City.

That was fun. Let's do it again next Sunday. https://t.co/CPcognhalj

— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) December 7, 2020

Morgan was a member of the starting line-up during Sunday’s match and subsequently logged 85 minutes of playing time, the most she has played in a single match for Tottenham this season. The contest was Rehanne Skinner’s first match serving as Tottenham’s manager, and it seems that Skinner plans to utilize Morgan in ways that former managers Karen Hills and Juan Amoros did not — which may be just the opportunity that Morgan needs to continue getting settled in the UK.

3) Manchester City is worthy of their “Big Three” label

Last but certainly not least, we learned that Manchester City is worthy of their status as a “Big Three” team following a comfortable 3-0 win over Everton on Sunday. With the win, Manchester City edges closer to a top-three ranking in the table, leaping the vanquished Everton to move into fourth place. With plenty of matches left on the 2020/2021 season, a top-three finish is certainly in reach as City strives to move past prior inconsistencies and continues on their current trajectory.

During Sunday’s match, a trio of goals by Ellen White, Gemma Banner, and Janine Beckie went unanswered by Everton in the first half, and City’s solid defensive play held their opponent to only 9 shots throughout the entirety of the contest. Still not impressed? Consider that City’s stellar first half was carried out without the assistance of big-time contributors like Sam Mewis, Chloe Kelly, Georgia Stanway, and Alex Greenwood, all of whom entered the game as second-half substitutions.

3️⃣ goals, 3️⃣ points ????

???? #ManCity | https://t.co/HkTzfLv0HJ pic.twitter.com/iyO1dOzgPk

— Man City Women (@ManCityWomen) December 6, 2020

While City’s performance against Everton is promising moving forward, their work is nowhere near complete as the squad takes on fellow “Big Three” opponent Arsenal next weekend. Arsenal, who defeated Birmingham City 3-0 in their most recent match, currently boasts a 6-1-1 record and holds second place in the table. For City to continue their climb up the FAWSL rankings, their upcoming contest against Arsenal is a must-win — so buckle up, because it looks like City is only beginning to dip into the talent their roster has to offer.

WHAT’S NEXT IN THE FAWSL:

December 9th:

Bristol City vs. Aston Villa @ 2:30 p.m. EST

December 13th:

Reading FC vs. Manchester United @ 7:30 a.m. EST

Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Chelsea @ 9:00 a.m. EST

Birmingham City vs. Everton @ 9:00 a.m. EST

Tottenham vs. Aston Villa @ 9:00 a.m. EST

Bristol City vs. West Ham United @ 9:00 a.m. EST

Manchester City vs. Arsenal @ 9:30 a.m. EST

Chelsea FC is once again looking across the pond to bolster their roster, with the six-time reigning WSL champions reportedly aiming to make a deal with NWSL side Angel City to acquire ACFC and USWNT forward Alyssa Thompson, per The Guardian this week.

Though the two clubs have yet to reach terms, Chelsea would need to have the deal signed before the WSL transfer window closes next Thursday.

Any agreement for Chelsea to snag Thompson from Angel City will likely feature yet another historic transfer fee, with cost projections topping former Tigres UANL star Lizbeth Ovalle's record $1.5 million transfer to the Orlando Pride earlier this month.

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The 20-year-old phenom is currently under contract with ACFC through the 2028 season after inking a three-year extension this past January.

With six goals and two assists in her 16 regular-season appearances in 2025 so far, the 2023 NWSL Draft No. 1 pick is trailing only rookie Riley Tiernan's seven goals on this year's Angel City scoresheet.

Should the transfer go through, Thompson would be the third ACFC player in a week to be moving to the UK, with the NWSL club transferring defender Alanna Kennedy and midfielder Katie Zelem to the newly WSL-promoted London City Lionesses on Wednesday.

As for Chelsea, the Blues have been a major player in recruiting US players over the last few seasons, with Thompson potentially joining her USWNT teammates Catarina Macario and Naomi Girma in suiting up for the WSL side's upcoming 2025/26 season.

Two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka is looking like her old self this week, as the world No. 24 advanced to the 2025 New York Grand Slam's third round for the first time since 2021 with a straight-set win over the US's No. 47 Hailey Baptiste on Thursday.

"I don't make it my business to know anymore, I kind of just leave it up in the air," said the fan favorite following questions about a possible fifth Grand Slam title run. "I've trained really hard. I practiced really hard. If it happens, it happens."

After taking her lumps on the WTA Tour since returning from pregnancy in 2024, the 2025 US Open marks Osaka's first seeded entry into a major tournament since 2022 — and she appears to be embracing her competitive boost in style, complete with eye-catching outfits and a matching Labubu.

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The 27-year-old Japanese national next faces No. 18 Daria Kasatkina in the pair's third career meeting, with Osaka getting the best of the Australian in both previous matchups — most recently at the 2024 Italian Open.

Should Osaka advance to Sunday's Round of 16, she could be on a collision course toward a date with No. 3 Coco Gauff, after the US star advanced past her own emotionally challenging second-round battle on Thursday.

How to watch Naomi Osaka at the 2025 US Open

With times still to be announced, Osaka will next battle Kasatkina during the second day of 2025 US Open third-round play on Saturday.

Live coverage of the New York Grand Slam airs across ESPN platforms.

The No. 1 Kansas City Current have been unstoppable this season, riding a 10-match unbeaten streak into Saturday's game against the No. 9 North Carolina Courage and inching closer to claiming a franchise-first NWSL Shield.

The Current's dominant 12-point advantage over the No. 2 Washington Spirit marks the league's largest top-table margin since the Courage finished 15 points ahead in 2018.

Even more, Kansas City tops the NWSL in goals scored (34) while also registering the fewest goals allowed (10), entering the league's 18th weekend of play with a record-tying five consecutive shutouts.

After coming in fourth in 2024, the Current's defense has continued to improve under manager Vlatko Andonovski, while another MVP-level year from star forward Temwa Chawinga has bolstered Kansas City's offense.

Chawinga currently leads the 2025 NWSL Golden Boot race with 11 goals through 17 games, while sitting in the league's Top 3 for both shots and shots on goal.

"I think because we have such a powerful offense, the defensive things, maybe people don't notice as much," Kansas City forward Michelle Cooper said earlier this week. "I think something absolutely important to us is our entire back line and the commitment to get little touches in, to take [advantage] of angles, and block shots."

How to watch the Kansas City Current this weekend

No. 1 Kansas City will host No. 9 North Carolina — one of just two teams to defeat the Current all season — at 7:30 PM ET on Saturday, with live coverage airing on ION.

The No. 5 New York Liberty are creeping back up the ladder, as the defending WNBA champions continued reversing their recent skid with Thursday's 89-63 win over the No. 10 Washington Mystics — all while the race to the 2025 WNBA Playoffs reaches its boiling point.

While Washington rookie Sonia Citron's 18 points led the game, New York pulled together a true team effort to secure Thursday's victory, with five Liberty players scoring double-digits — including a season-high 16 points off the bench from forward Isabelle Harrison in her return from concussion protocol.

"We're not looking at the other teams at this point," Liberty forward Emma Meesseman said after the game. "We're just looking at ourselves, to maybe send a message to ourselves."

Despite that focus, New York is still contending with injury woes that have overshadowed much of the Liberty's season, taking Thursday's court without starters Sabrina Ionescu (toe), Jonquel Jones (illness), and Natasha Cloud (nose), while leaning on recently returned forward Breanna Stewart.

"We need to win the rest of our games," acknowledged Stewart, with the team gearing up for visits to the No. 4 Phoenix Mercury, No. 8 Golden State Valkyries, and No. 7 Seattle Storm over the next week. "We need to go and be road warriors."

The Liberty will have their hands full against the Mercury this weekend, with Phoenix coming in hot off a three-game winning streak with postseason-clinching top-of-mind.

"It's like a playoff matchup," Stewart added. "It's a big game, big implications, and [we're] not shying away from that."

How to watch the New York Liberty this weekend

No. 4 Phoenix will host No. 5 New York at 10 PM ET on Saturday, with live coverage airing on NBA TV.