Mary Fowler played a pivotal role with a goal and plenty of enterprising attacking football as Manchester City came from behind to win 4-2 over Aston Villa in England’s WSL on Saturday.
Villa went ahead early and Fowler almost levelled things up after some good footwork allowed her space to shoot on her left but she put her effort over the bar.
Vivienne Miedema squared the game up, before Fowler laid off for Miedema in the 35th minute with the Dutchwoman firing home from outside the box for a 2-1 lead.
Villa equalized with an own goal straight after half-time but it was Fowler who restored City’s lead in the 54th minute.
Fowler received the ball with plenty to do on the right side on a break, jinking back inside before unleashing a left-foot shot which went into the top corner with the aid of a slight deflection.
The Matildas forward was involved in City’s fourth, playing Kerstin Casparij into space on the right flank for her to cross to Jessica Park to volley home.
Caitlin Foord had an injury scare, forced to be taken off before half-time in Arsenal’s 1-0 loss to Chelsea on Sunday, which leaves the Blues well clear at the top.
Foord was withdrawn in the 44th minute. Arsenal manager Renee Slegers explained: “She hasn’t played much in the last week. She’s had some problems with the muscle and she was clear to play today. She felt good and she wanted to.
“I think she contributed really well with her minutes on the pitch. I think she did very well, but then she started to feel something, and she said, I think someone else should come on and do it, because we need 100% players on the pitch against Chelsea.”
Steph Catley played the entire game in central defence, while Kyra Cooney-Cross started and played 88 minutes in a new role on the right side of midfield.
Slegers explained the role: “It was how we wanted to press them and playing Kyra and Kim [Little] to their strengths and connected to what we needed in the game today and they both have different qualities so I think they both did well in their roles in our pressing structure today.”
On Cooney-Cross’ performance, she added: “What Kyra does really well is always find a good position to be able to play forward and then she has a lot of quality on the ball with long passes, dribbles and carries. She’s been very important for us. She’s grown so much as a player and person.”
Clare Hunt put in a full shift in defence and Hayley Raso started and played 56 minutes in Tottenham’s 3-2 victory at Crystal Palace. Charlotte Grant went unused.
Katrina Gorry played her part as West Ham United secured a 2-0 win over Clare Wheeler’s Everton to move further away from the drop zone. Gorry and Wheeler both played full games.
Teagan Micah put in a full shift in Liverpool’s 2-1 loss away to Leicester City. Courtney Nevin was an unused sub for the Foxes.
Back on the pitch 🌱
— Tottenham Hotspur Women (@SpursWomen) January 26, 2025
In Germany’s Frauen Bundesliga on Sunday, Jamilla Rankin was an unused sub as TSG 1899 Hoffenheim won 3-0 at Carl Zeiss Jena. Anna Margraf was a 61st minute sub for Carl Zeiss Jena.
Returning to Man City, Alanna Kennedy wasn’t involved in their WSL game, having this week secured a move to USA to join LA-based Angel City.
Kennedy signed a one-year deal with Angel City, with a mutual extension option of an extra year for the 2026 season.
Angel City Sporting Director Mark Parsons said: “Alanna is an experienced defender who brings both leadership and a winning mentality to our team.
“Her international experience with Australia, coupled with her ability to play in multiple defensive positions, makes her a versatile addition to our roster. We look forward to seeing her contribute to the culture and success of Angel City.”
Welcome to LA, Alanna!#AngelCityFC has signed Australian WNT defender Alanna Kennedy to a one-year contract through 2025 with a mutual extension option for 2026. Kennedy joins us from Manchester City of England’s WSL & will occupy one of our int’l spots.https://t.co/F11rtgsOEj pic.twitter.com/8lha3Lu5tK
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) January 21, 2025
Kennedy added: “I am really excited to join Angel City and return to the NWSL.
“I was inspired by the club’s mission and purpose and I am looking forward to arriving in LA and meeting all my teammates. Equally, I am excited to get to work and contribute to the team’s success on the field.”
Kennedy joins Matildas Cortnee Vine (North Carolina Courage), Kaitlyn Torpey (San Diego Wave) and Mackenzie Arnold (Portland Thorns) in the NWSL with the 2025 season due to start in March.
Emily van Egmond earlier this month mutually agreed to end her three-year stint with San Diego Wave.
forever a part of wave fc history 💙 pic.twitter.com/flROIfVUMq
— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) January 3, 2025
