Mary Fowler headed Manchester City to Champions League victory at St Polten as they left it late to snatch the points in a five-goal Group D thriller.
City, who dispatched champions Barcelona in their opening fixture, led through Australia international defender Alanna Kennedy’s early piledriver at the Generali Arena in Vienna, but found themselves trailing after Melanie Brunnthaler levelled and Kamila Dubcova put the hosts ahead.
Japan international Aoba Fujino dragged Gareth Taylor’s side back into it with her first goal for the club, but it was Kennedy’s Matildas team-mate Fowler who secured the win with an 80th-minute header to maintain their 100 per cent start to the group stage.
FULL-TIME | +3 on the road in Austria! 👊
🔵 2-3 🩵 #ManCity | #UWCL pic.twitter.com/gKiIZDCZOd
— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) October 16, 2024
Taylor handed 18-year-old full-back Codie Thomas a senior debut in one of six changes to the side which started Sunday’s 2-1 Women’s Super League victory at Liverpool, but there was no place in the squad for striker Vivianne Miedema as she continued to work her way back from injury.
However if there were any fears a new-look side might not gel initially, they were dispelled within five minutes as the visitors took the lead in spectacular style.
After Thomas had surged forward into enemy territory, Chloe Kelly crossed for Fujino to set up the fast-arriving Kennedy, who blasted past goalkeeper Carina Schluter from the edge of the box.
Take a bow, Alanna Kennedy 🇦🇺🚀#UWCL pic.twitter.com/M1qF4j6cvn
— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) October 16, 2024
Schluter did well to prevent further damage when skipper Jennifer Klein almost diverted Jessica Park’s cross into her own net, and then clawed away the England international’s 11th-minute shot, but opposite number Khiara Keating denied Dubcova after Alex Greenwood had blocked her initial attempt at the other end.
Mateja Zver almost caught Keating off her line with an audacious free-kick from just inside the City half with the Austrian champions responding to the early setback, although Laura Blindkilde Brown and Kennedy both went close to a second for the visitors as the half-hour mark came and went.
Blindkilde Brown forced a fine save from Schluter, who then parried a second attempt from the midfielder to Fujino, who hit the woodwork after dragging the ball back, and the goal frame came to St Polten’s rescue once again eight minutes before the break when Fowler’s shot was deflected on to the crossbar by Brunnthaler.
GET IN! 👊
🔵 2-2 🩵 #ManCity | #UWCL pic.twitter.com/Fydc5ShcMG
— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) October 16, 2024
However, the Austrian striker was in the right place at the right time at the other end to stab home a 40th-minute equaliser after City had failed to deal with a corner.
Kelly passed up an early second-half opportunity to restore City’s lead when she stabbed wide from a Fujino cross and Schluter tipped a Fowler effort over, and the Austrian side took the lead when Dubcova dispatched a 53rd-minute volley after Melike Pekel had helped on Maria Mikolajova’s cross.
The WSL leaders had been behind for just four minutes when Fujino swept home Kelly’s cross but they had to wait until 10 minutes from time to restore their advantage, Fowler heading substitute Lauren Hemp’s corner home to snatch victory.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. EPL Week 22 Ronaldo on this day Chelsea eyeing possible Garnacho move IT'S ALWAYS HIM! Which club should El Capitano - @sergioramos JOIN? It was special 2'—Benfica 1-0 Barcelona 13'—Benfica 1-1 Barcelona 22'—Benfica 2-1 Barcelona 30'—Benfica 3-1 Barcelona 64'—Benfica 3-2 Barcelona 68'—Benfica 4-2 Barcelona 78'—Benfica...
Manchester United have been linked with a surprise move for Jack Grealish.Jack Grealish has been linked with a surprise move to Manchester UnitedManchester United are reportedly weighing up a surprise move for Jack Grealish, who faces an uncertain future at Manchester City.The former Aston Villa forward has struggled for game time over the last few months and has only scored one goal for City in h...
KYLE WALKER is to join AC Milan after agreeing a 12-month loan deal, SunSport can reveal.The Manchester City skipper, 34, is expected in Italy in the coming days before being unveiled to the Rossoneri.Kyle Walker has agreed a move to AC MilanHe was poised to join their fierce city rivals, Inter, after telling City of his desire to quit the Etihad but talks broke down over his wages.AC Milan have n...
Lecce's president revealed he met with Manchester United representatives regarding Patrick Dorgu but warned to keep their hands off the player.Man Utd officials met with Lecce for Dorgu Serie A side reportedly want €40m Club president insists player is not for saleWHAT HAPPENED?United are actively exploring options to strengthen their left wing-back position, a role head coach Ruben Amorim s...
Barcelona eye Musiala as summer targetBarcelona have reportedly identified Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala as a priority for their upcoming transfer plans, according to Sport. Musiala’s current deal with Bayern Munich runs until 2026, but reports suggest that the Bundesliga champions are already in negotiations for a contract extension. Whether Barcelona can tempt him away from the Al...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Chelsea 's back !!Chelsea 3-1 Wolves Arsenal watching Premier League teams copy their corner kick style. Respect for Antony THAT FINAL WAS SPECIAL! STREETS WON'T FORGET! Lamine Yamal is so young that he will be just 23 years old at the 2030 FIFA World Cup!Most of us will retire from our professions before Lamine Yamal retires from football. The GOAT Vs Sir Bobb...
Manchester United are still waiting for the sale which could act as the trigger point for a frenzy of January transfer activity at Old Trafford. And they could soon get it, with Antony, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho among those heavily linked elsewhere.Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted his side will take action in the market if the right opportunity presents itself, while Tottenham m...
Ferran Torres has pledged his commitment to Barcelona.The attacker is being linked with AC Milan this week.But ahead of their Champions League clash with Benfica, Torres said: "I could say that I have learned a lot, with ups and downs. I have had some great moments and some not so great ones."It's been a very nice time and I have a lot of confidence in the club. The future? It will be here, playin...
Fabrizio Romano has provided CaughtOffside with an exclusive video update on the Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea story that has emerged today.In a new post for the Daily Briefing, Romano confirmed the stories about Chelsea’s interest in the Manchester United winger, whilst also reporting on Napoli being keen.Although Garnacho has mostly been an important player for Man Utd in the last couple o...
Manchester City have completed the signing of Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov.City have agreed a deal worth €40 million ($41.6m) plus add-ons for the 20-year-old, who has signed a four-and-a-half year deal at the Etihad Stadium.Khusanov, who has been handed the No. 45 shirt, is set to become the first Uzbeki to play in the Premier League."I'm absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester Ci...
- 1 Benjamin Sesko has already said yes to Arsenal
- 2 Joao Felix eyed by ‘very interested club’
- 3 Liverpool flop and ex-Page 3 girl were 'freaked out'
- 4 Shaun Murphy copies Lionel Messi as he sleeps with Masters trophy
- 5 Teen arrested after shock abuse against Kai Havertz's wife Sophia
- 6 Daily Laugh - Chelsea 's back !!
- 7 Man Utd 'consider Jack Grealish transfer'
- 8 Mourinho makes drastic career change and launches 'The Special One' wine
- 9 Ex-Bundesliga star's WAG has intimate tattoo of footballer husband
- 10 City, Frankfurt reach deal for Marmoush