Mary Fowler has given her all for Manchester City, scoring two brilliant goals in a key victory in the Women’s Super League that moves them ever closer to the English title.
The Matildas star has rarely displayed all of her gifts in her two years in a City shirt but, with star striker Khadija Shaw out with a long-term injury, the Australian started and picked the perfect moment to ensure no The WSL’s top scorer will be missed. the 4-0 victory at Bristol City.
Fowler’s second-half double, which condemned Bristol City to relegation, helped propel City to within six points of champions Chelsea in the title race, and with a goal difference seven points better than the Blues, who still They have two games less.
However, for his own City career, his standout performance at Ashton Gate seemed a significant moment for Fowler, who has found it difficult to secure a starting spot in the star-studded team despite his obvious range of skills.
City were missing their 21-goal ace, Shaw, as Fowler’s excellent creative work, with fine runs and crosses from both flanks, failed to find the finishes it deserved.
Failing to break down Bristol’s defense in the first hour, Fowler decided to take matters into his own hands.
Finding some space outside the box in the 62nd minute, he surged forward and unleashed an unstoppable left-footed strike, as he had done for the Matildas, but not before in England.
“I’ve taken some stunning shots in training, so I was just hoping that one would hit the target,” Fowler told Sky Sports with a smile afterwards.
“It feels really good to have more playing time. I’m trying to give my best to the team and after being on the sidelines for a while, I’m just trying to stay focused in training and be a good teammate.”
Thirteen minutes later, she made it 2-0 with a goal from the centre-forward that Shaw would have been proud of, getting ahead of her marker and deftly sliding in Lauren Hemp’s cross from the right.
With City now able to relax after their two goals, they ended up getting two more, one courtesy of Amy Rodgers’ dreadful own goal and the other, an Alex Greenwood header with the final touch of the game.
Bristol City’s defeat means they return to the Championship after a season in the top flight and ensures safety for Mackenzie Arnold’s West Ham, who had previously earned a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.
Third-placed Arsenal’s slim title hopes, featuring Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord, suffered a potentially fatal blow as they could only draw 1-1 at Everton, with 16-year-old Issy Hobson scoring a late equaliser. added for the local side.
Manchester United striker Ella Toone came off the bench to score the only goal of the game in the victory over Leicester City, which remained fourth.
In the women’s second division championship, Crystal Palace were promoted to the top flight after a goalless draw against Sunderland.
City are six points clear at the top of the table but second-placed Chelsea have two games in hand after their Champions League run ended in the semi-finals.
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AAP