Sam Kerr has rediscovered her predatory touch after a relatively lean spell, scoring her first goals for Chelsea in 2022 during their 7-0 thrashing of Leicester in the Women's FA Cup.

The Matildas captain landed her double and created two other goals at Kingsmeadow as Chelsea powered into the quarter-finals of the competition they won at Wembley in December, also thanks to a brace from the Australian.

The 28-year-old hasn't enjoyed the best of form in recent weeks, missing chances against South Korea as Australia bowed out of the Asian Cup and failing to hit the target in two matches for the champions on her return to England.

But this was the sort of afternoon to restore any lost confidence as Chelsea, inspired by Pernille Harder's two goals and three assists, ran riot after the 17th minute straight red card for a reckless challenge by Leicester's Sophie Howard. 

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Against 10 players of the already struggling Super League side, there was never any doubt about the outcome, with Harder striking twice before half-time, the second coming courtesy of Kerr's lay-off.

Harder repaid the favour on the hour, setting up Kerr to fire home Chelsea's third, and the Australian struck again with her team's sixth in the 82nd minute, poking home from close range from Canadian Jessie Fleming's pass.

Kerr, who also spurned a few chances to have made it a hat-trick, finished her afternoon by laying on the final goal for Beth England.

Chelsea, who also had Ji So-yun and Aniek Nouwen join the goals after the break, were particularly glad to see Kerr, currently the WSL top scorer with nine, back in business before they face Manchester City in the League Cup final next week.

AAP