Sam Kerr’s brilliant first-half strike was enough to give Chelsea a crucial victory over Manchester United and return them to the top of the Women’s Super League.

United dominated possession early on but were given two warnings as Kerr twice tested visiting goalkeeper Mary Earps. However, there was no let off the third time.

Lauren James played a pinpoint ball over the top from the right touchline, Kerr timed her run to perfection, brought the ball down on her chest, then lifted it gloriously over Earps and into the far corner.

Marc Skinner’s side had an opportunity to equalise almost immediately when a Chelsea slip allowed Ella Toone space in the box. But the England attacking midfielder seemed torn between going for goal and crossing, and the result was neither one nor the other as the ball sailed wide.

United felt they should have had a penalty in the 33rd minute when Nikita Parris went down under contact from Kadeisha Buchanan, but referee Cheryl Foster waved played on.

Kerr remained Chelsea’s main threat in the second half, muscling Maya le Tissier off the ball before side-footing just wide. And while United pushed for a leveller in the closing stages, they failed to create any clear chances and the hosts held on.

Chelsea are now two points clear at the top as they bid for a sixth WSL title.

Kerr quality helps Chelsea overcome injury problems

The depth of talent available to Chelsea is no secret but with Fran Kirby, Guro Reiten, Pernille Harder, Katerina Svitkova and Erin Cuthbert all unavailable, they needed every last bit of it against United.

Even in a team of stars, Kerr has often shone brightest and – like so many great players – has a knack of delivering when it matters most.

In a game of few chances, Kerr was a threat throughout with her very presence seeming to unnerve a United backline that had been breached just eight times in the WSL this campaign.

An early ball over the top was not fully dealt with by the away team and Kerr was able to steal in and bring a save from Earps.

After 12 minutes, Melanie Leupolz slid the ball through to Kerr and after holding off Le Tissier, saw her left-footed shot saved by the legs of Earps.

There was nothing the England keeper could do when Kerr next went through, though. The pass from James was exquisite, the first touch from the striker was excellent but the angle wasn’t easy and Le Tissier was on her shoulder.

Kerr made the lobbed finish look simple. A moment of genius that deserved to win such a mammoth top-of-the-table clash.

A week after losing the League Cup final, Chelsea have taken a big stride towards a fifth WSL crown in six years.

United lack cutting edge as title bid falters

After finishing fourth last season, that United are even in a title race shows the progress they have made.

At the home of the defending champions, they controlled possession for long spells of the game and, for all that Kerr tormented the defence, they still managed to limit Chelsea’s opportunities.

But at no stage did they really look like unlocking a stubborn home defence.

Toone had the chance to create something just after the goal but she and Alessia Russo were largely kept quiet by Chelsea.

The non-penalty award after Parris appeared to be tripped by Buchanan will rankle but given the lofty ambitions for this side, Skinner will also be frustrated by the failure to trouble an under-strength Chelsea more.

Millie Turner’s back-post header and a sliced effort from Leah Galton were as close as they came with Chelsea able to keep them at arm’s length.

The title race still has a way to go but with Chelsea in a position to stretch their lead to five points by winning their game in hand, there is no more margin for error and United cannot afford another off day from an attack that has been so prolific for much of the season.