Hayes hails Kerr’s “phenomenal work rate” after Chelsea extended their lead over Arsenal ahead of the Birmingham clash

EMMA HAYES praised Sam Kerr for “working her way up” along with her teammates as Chelsea moved closer to a fifth WSL crown.

The striker is 18^th League goal of the season and Beth England’s opener against Tottenham helped the leaders widen the gap between themselves and Arsenal.

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Kerr admits she’s enjoying the title race this season, with Chelsea four points clear of the Gunners.

And Jonas Eidevall’s aces meet an Aston Villa side that thwarted Manchester United’s top-three chase after outstanding performances from Sian Rogers and Anita Asante.

Speaking of the feeling in the dressing room, Kerr said: “We talked about it before the game, it’s the same as last year, we were two points behind City.

“One point, two points, it’s just a game, we’re in exactly the same position – and we’re playing for Chelsea, we love that stuff.”

The Blues needed 19 minutes to earn a home lead against Tottenham on Thursday night.

This happened when Beth England jumped and headed Jonna Andersson’s cross past keeper Tinja-Rikka Korpela.

But Rehanne Skinner’s struggling Spurs side – who have improved greatly from last season – refused to flex.

And they leveled in the 43rd^approx minute when Kerys Harrop scored the equaliser.

But the visitors had barely two minutes to celebrate when Kerr scored the match-winner as the striker edged closer to his second straight Golden Boot win.

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The striker nodded the ball in just before half-time after a spot-on shot by Pernille Harder.

And the goal was enough to help the Blues to a 3-1 win ahead of their trip to Birmingham, who are fighting for relegation from WSL for the first time.

Commenting on Kerr’s performances at the top, Hayes said, “She’s a top player in every way.

“You look at her all-around stats as a centre-forward and nobody comes close to her in this league, maybe in the world.

“She has the contribution to team goals, her own goalscoring record. Her work rate is phenomenal.”