UWCL: Fowler gives Manchester City late win over St Pölten

In a nervy <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/01/premier-league-manchester-citys-turnover-for-the-first-time-higher-than-manchester-uniteds/" title="Premier League – Manchester City's turnover for the first time higher than Manchester United's”>Champions League group stage game, St Pölten hosted Manchester City at the Generali Arena. The visitors pulled off a late 3-2 victory over their opponents with goals from Alanna Kennedy, Aoba Fujino and Mary Fowler. The match marked the first time the two teams had met since 2017. St Pölten came into the match off a 2-0 defeat to Hammarby in the first round. Manchester City were fresh off the back of their 2-0 win over current Champions League holders Barcelona.

Schlüter; Mikolajova, Wenger, Mattner-Trembleau, Bruunthaler, Hillebrand, Krige, Klein, Zver, Pekel, Dubcova

Keating; Greenwood, Fowler, Kelly, Kennedy, Ouahabi, Park, Blindkilde, Fujino, Hasegawa, Thomas

Alanna Kennedy opened the scoring just six minutes into the tie. The Australian defender hit the ball home from 25 yards out to give the Sky Blues the opener. Manchester City retained the lead for the majority of the first half before Melanie Bruunthaler levelled for the hosts just four minutes before the break.

The No.18 added a second in the 54th minute to put Pölten ahead. Celebrations were cut short just four minutes later, however, as Aoba Fujino drew the visitors back level. A tightly fought second half brought chances for both sides, although City dominated the possession.

An 80th-minute header from Mary Fowler gave Gareth Taylor’s side a late win to keep them top of Group D. The hosts remain bottom of the group having failed to pick up a point from their opening two games.

St Pölten will face Manchester City at the Joie Stadium on the 12th of December in the penultimate Group Stage fixture.

St Pölten will travel to face Union Kleinmünchen before hosting Austria Wien after the international break.

Manchester City will host Aston Villa at the Joie Stadium in Sunday’s Women’s Super League clash. Following the international break, the Sky Blues will travel to face newly promoted Crystal Palace before welcoming Tottenham to the Etihad Stadium.