Mary Fowler played a key role in what looked like a winning goal, but a late strike from Norway international Elisabeth Terland denied Manchester City all three points in a fiercely contested Women's Super League derby at the Leigh Sports Ground on Sunday, with the match finishing 1-1 against Manchester United and ending City's perfect start to the season.
Fowler Sparks the Opener, but City Cannot Hold On
The Matildas star was the architect of the breakthrough in the 66th minute, sliding a precise ball through to Bunny Shaw, who was celebrating her 100th WSL appearance. Shaw shrugged off a challenge from Dominique Janssen and drilled a powerful shot into the far corner, silencing a home crowd that had jeered and heckled her throughout the contest.
It appeared City would hold on for the win, but Terland had other ideas. The Manchester United striker blasted an equaliser into the net in the 89th minute to earn a share of the spoils for the hosts and deny City their sixth straight league victory. It was the first time this season that City had dropped points in the WSL.
Fowler, who scored the opening goal as Manchester City launched their WSL title defence earlier in the campaign, continues to be a consistent presence for the champions, but Sunday's result means the silverware battle is tightening considerably.
Chelsea Climb to the Summit on Goal Difference
The derby draw had immediate consequences at the top of the table. Chelsea, with fellow Australian international Ellie Carpenter playing the full 90 minutes, capitalised by coming from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-1 earlier in the day, moving above City on goal difference.
Both Chelsea and Manchester City now sit on 19 points, with London City Lionesses third on 16 and Manchester United climbing to fourth on 11 points following their hard-fought draw.
Van Egmond's Charlton Still Searching for First Point
It was another bleak afternoon for Charlton Athletic, who suffered a seventh consecutive defeat, going down 1-0 to Birmingham City. Substitute Wilma Leidhammar scored the only goal in the 68th minute to secure the win for Birmingham and leave Charlton, whose squad includes Matildas veteran Emily van Egmond, anchored to the foot of the table without a single point from their opening matches.
Other WSL Results from the Weekend
Elsewhere across the division, Liverpool's Jana Fernandez Velasco struck deep into stoppage time to snatch a 2-2 draw at home against London City Lionesses on Merseyside. Aston Villa produced a nervy performance against Everton, racing to a commanding 3-0 lead by the 50th minute, with Amalie Vangsgaard netting twice, before Everton clawed back two late goals. Villa ultimately held on for a 3-2 victory, though the closing stages would have made for uncomfortable viewing for the travelling supporters.
The WSL table is shaping up for a tightly contested title race, with just three points separating the top two sides and several clubs finding their rhythm heading into the business end of the autumn schedule.
