Fowler marks 100th Manchester City appearance in win over Arsenal

Mary Fowler helped Manchester City produce a second-half comeback against Arsenal as the champions won 4-2 in the Women’s Super League on her 100th appearance for the club. Fowler came on as a substitute shortly after the hour mark with City trailing 2-1. Within a minute, Kerstin Casparij equalised, before Lauren Hemp scored again to put the home side ahead for the first time.

Bunny Shaw completed the scoring with her fifth goal of the season. Hemp had earlier scored twice as City recovered from behind to secure the victory. The result kept Manchester City’s perfect record after five matches and left the team two points clear of Chelsea at the top of the table.

City’s women’s side has provided a positive result during a difficult period for the wider club. Arsenal, who included Australian players Steph Catley and Kyra Cooney-Cross, remain 10th after a second consecutive defeat. The Gunners have not won since the opening day of the season and are now 10 points behind the leaders.

Caitlin Foord’s pressure contributed to Arsenal’s second goal, which was scored by Alessia Russo, but Arsenal could not preserve their advantage. Catley has been managing an injury, Cooney-Cross has recently returned to the team and Foord has mainly been used as a substitute. Chelsea beat West Ham 3-0, with Melvine Malard, Keira Walsh and Maika Hamano scoring.

London City Lionesses moved to third after beating Tottenham Hotspur 6-1, while Brighton defeated Charlton 5-1. The source material also reported that injured Australian defender Alanna Kennedy would miss upcoming Matildas internationals against Germany and Haiti.