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Sam Kerr limps off with ankle injury during thumping Chelsea win

Sam Kerr limped off after half an hour of Chelsea's match against Everton. (Getty Images: Alex Davidson)

Sam Kerr has limped off after scoring in Chelsea's big WSL win over Everton, sending a ripple of concern through the Matildas World Cup camp.

Kerr, who was Australia's flag-bearer at the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday, headed Chelsea's second goal midway through the first half, but appeared to roll her right ankle when landing and limped during her celebration.

After receiving treatment, Kerr was able to walk from the field unassisted.

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes told reporters Kerr was "fine" and her removal after 32 minutes was a precaution.

"She was a little bit sick last night," Hayes said.

"[She] cramped up. We decided not to take any risks."

Chelsea will be hoping Kerr's injury is not severe, with an FA Cup final against Manchester United at a sold-out Wembley stadium next week.

For the Matildas, the fitness of Kerr is also of paramount importance.

Sam Kerr appeared to roll her ankle when landing after scoring a header. (Getty Images: Alex Davidson)

Several big name players have already been ruled out of the Women's World Cup, including Kerr's Chelsea teammate Fran Kerby and England skipper Leah Williamson.

"Sam Kerr is a huge player for club and country," BBC analyst Samantha Miller said on the BBC.

"She is the captain of the Matildas and she has spoken about how important that will be for her country. They look up to her in terms of what she brings and how she plays.

"They are quite reliant on a player like her. For Chelsea, she scores a lot of their goals.

"She is obviously fatigued at the moment and that is when you have to be careful because that is often when they do get injured."

Without Kerr, Chelsea barely broke stride, hammering Everton 7-0 to keep their WSL title defence in their own hands.

Norway international Guro Reiten opened the scoring and Pernille Harder netted with her first touch off the bench as the Londoners slammed five goals past the Toffees in the opening 45 minutes.

Harder and Erin Cuthbert added to the tally in the second half as the Blues hammered sixth-placed Everton.

Chelsea sit second on the ladder, four points behind Manchester United but with two games in hand with four games remaining.

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