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Manchester City believe they’re now seeing the real Mary Fowler, with the Matildas star feted for helping orchestrate the 5-0 thrashing of Bristol City that’s thrust the Sky Blues to the top of England’s Women’s Super League (WSL).
Fowler was just an afterthought among City’s star-studded squad in her debut season but the 20-year-old demonstrated again on Sunday that she’s now ready to take centre stage for the ambitious WSL contenders following her World Cup heroics.
She produced two pinpoint assists as City ran rampant in the first half on Sunday, scoring all five of their goals before the break.
‘I mentioned last season that this season will be important for Mary to feel her way into the club – and now we’re starting to see the player that we all thought we’d see,’ he said.
‘Her confidence is high and I’m picking her every game now.
‘Mary’s just a really talented player. She’s very good at one on one situations, her ability to go outside, inside, both feet makes her a dream to work with. And she’s very coachable, really willing to learn.’
Fowler battles for possession with Jamie-Lee Napier of Bristol City during their WSL clash on the weekend
Fowler endeared herself to the Australian public during the FIFA Women’s World Cup
The young striker was called upon in the absence of the injured Sam Kerr and is now starting to peak for Manchester City
With a terrific cross, she laid on the first goal for new Dutch signing Jill Roord – who ended up scoring twice – and helped make it five just before the break by setting up the prolific Jamaican Khadija Shaw to complete her own double.
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With Laia Aleixandri scoring City’s other goal with a glancing header, the only thing Fowler failed to do was hit the net – but Taylor was adamant the goals would come for the Cairns-born youngster.
‘She’s got goals in her, that’s got to be the main thing we’re really looking to Mary for,’ he said.
‘With the likes of Bunny (Shaw) and Jill Roord, it looks like it could be a healthy competition for top scorer – and Mary’s capable of being up there as well.’
Two Arsenal Matildas, Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord, were celebrating at the Emirates Stadium after their late, late comeback 2-1 triumph over Aston Villa.
With Arsenal trailing 1-0, Foord hit the post late on as the Gunners pressed for an equaliser.
The game was transformed by the late introduction of England forward Beth Mead for her first appearance in 11 months after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament.
After Katie McCabe had equalised in the 92nd minute, Mead – player of the tournament in England’s Euro 2022 triumph but sidelined for the World Cup in Australia with injury – set up the winner for Alessia Russo two minutes later.
Manchester United and Courtney Nevin’s Leicester drew 1-1 to ensure both sides maintained their unbeaten record.
The Foxes took the lead early in the second half through Aileen Whelan only for Maya Le Tissier to equalise with a header for United.
At the top of the table, Manchester City now lead on goal difference, with Leicester and Chelsea, who beat West Ham 2-0 on Saturday with a goal from Sam Kerr, also unbeaten on seven points.
