Match-winner Mary Fowler praised Manchester City’s resilience after they completed a concerted fightback at St Polten to maintain their perfect start to the Champions League group stage.
City, who beat holders Barcelona in their opening Group D fixture a week ago, followed that up with a hard-fought 3-2 victory in Vienna on Wednesday evening, with Australia international Fowler heading home the decisive goal with just 10 minutes remaining.
Her intervention came after Japan striker Aoba Fujino’s first goal for the club had levelled things up at 2-2, three days after Khadija Shaw’s double had clinched a comeback win at Liverpool in the Women’s Super League.
A message from tonight’s Player of the Match! ✨#ManCity | #UWCL pic.twitter.com/DBOYnqiR9L
— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) October 16, 2024
Fowler told UEFA TV: “I’m just happy to be able to get the win with the girls. Obviously being able to help in that way, getting a goal, feels really good.
“I’m most proud of the girls for being able to come from behind and change that energy and get the win in the end.
“Our last couple of games have been like that and we haven’t stopped and given up, so really happy to be able to win in that way.”
Alanna Kennedy had blasted the visitors into a fifth-minute lead and City seemed destined to win comfortably as they piled on the pressure and were twice denied by the woodwork.
However, Melanie Brunnthaler’s equaliser and a Kamila Dubcova strike turned the game on its head before Fujino and Fowler restored order.
Fowler said: “They’re a good side. That’s the great thing about the Champions League, that you can’t underestimate any team.
“They could have easily have won that game out there with the chances they had, so good game, good entertainment and I hope the fans enjoyed that.”
City boss Gareth Taylor was a relieved man after seeing his side emerge on the right end of the scoreline.
He told the club’s official website: “I’m just really pleased to get the three points. I thought it was a difficult game on a really difficult pitch.
“We didn’t underestimate it, far from it. I just think that these games are naturally the hardest games, the so-called ones where you’re just supposed to come to someone’s territory and win, and it’s so difficult.
“Six points out of the two games is a really good start for us.”
For St Polten goalkeeper Carina Schluter, who produced a string of fine saves to keep her side in the game until the death, the game sparked mixed emotions.
Back-to-back wins for Bayern and City 🔥#UWCL pic.twitter.com/76eIg37uJc
— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) October 16, 2024
Schluter told UEFA.com: “Right now, it’s quite frustrating and it hurts. You should be able to be happy about a result like this, but maybe it’ll take a few days. You just want to win every game and we were close.
“We now know that we can make it difficult for the big teams and that we don’t have to make ourselves as small as many say.
“We’re super excited for the next challenges and we’ll see how it will go.”
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