Explore the excitement of City Women’s 3-2 win in a dramatic contest, highlighted by Late Fowler Header Seals. Get all the details on this remarkable game.
Introduction:
Manchester City took the lead against St. Pölten in a frenetic UEFA Women’s Champions League group-stage match at Viola Park through an enthralling 3-2 win. Both clubs proved great attackers, but City’s resilience with timely substitutions would allow them to overtop a determined Austrian side.
See also: Pernille Harder’s Record-Breaking Goal Seals Bayern’s 2-0 Win Over Juventus
Heavy early pressure from St. Pölten
As expected by the Man City coach, Gareth Taylor, the team from St. Pölten pressed high and tried to get their presence in the visitors’ half. However, City managed to counter the early pressure by the home side, and the game evolved into an exciting end-to-end battle after both teams tested each other’s defenses with some really dangerous plays down both the flanks. Visitors struck first in an exciting and aggressive first half.

Alanna Kennedy Stunning Opener for City
City broke the deadlock with a spectacular goal from Alanna Kennedy. After a sweeping movement to the right, Yui Hasegawa found Chloe Kelly who sent a low cross into the box. Fujino, in Aoba, was in a good position to find her way to goal but the Japanese forward still managed to lay it out for Kennedy to unleash a fierce shot from 25 meters. Ball racarded through the legs of St. Pölten keeper Isabella Schlüter, rebounding in off the upright to give City a 1-0 lead.
St. Pölten did not let the early setback get the better of them and began carving out opportunities for themselves. The skipper for St. Pölten Melanie Brunnthaler led by example as she created some half-chance, while Man City’ custodian Ellie Roebuck was called into action to deny several long-range efforts.

Brunnthaler Equalizes for St. Pölten
Just before half-time, the hosts were justly rewarded for their persistence. City failed to clear a corner and the ball fell beneficially for Brunnthaler in the box, who calmly slotted it home from close range. The equalizer was deserved as St. Pölten had looked dangerous at moments, particularly from set pieces. Both teams went into the break level at 1-1, and it was clear that the second half would be pivotal.

St. Pölten Take the Surprise Lead
And the second half was underway with St. Pölten soaking up pressure as City looked to regain their lead. However it was the home side who struck next. A long free-kick from captain Zver found its way into the box and after City struggled to clear, Kamila Dubcová collected the ball with her back to goal. In one fluid motion, the Slovakian midfielder controlled it on her thigh and volleyed home, leaving City stunned and gifting St. Pölten the lead at 2-1 against the run of play.

Man City Fight Back
City, meanwhile, were far from chastened by losing their advantage. Close to kick-off, Chloe Kelly’s cross from the right flank was headed in by Fujino, who, on the left now, was well placed to smash the delivery with a calm volley to make it 2-2. That was the Japanese player’s first goal for Manchester City and arrived at the keenest of moments to give the visitors life when it looked as though St. Pölten were going to pull off the biggest upset of all.

Late Fowler Header
Both teams now sought that one goal, and City manager Gareth Taylor made a tactical substitution to bring on Lauren Hemp. It was going to be a substitution that would pay with valuable dividends. In the 80th minute, Hemp swivelled to strike a corner, and on the way her header awaited her, rising high for Mary Fowler, so she cleared it past Schlüter to send City into the lead at 3-2. It was poetically timed to give a St. Pölten defense no other choice but to flinch, and the home side didn’t have much of a chance to stage an important counterattack.

City Win Second Group D Match
St. Pölten fought very hard in the closing stages of the match, however their defensive organization stood firm for City. And then the final whistle sounded and Manchester City claimed their second success running in Group D. That is, therefore, a perfect start to their UEFA Women’s Champions League adventure. However, for City, quality told at key moments in victory as determined effort told much of the rest for St. Pölten.

Post Match Thoughts
City manager Gareth Taylor on his team’s result: “We knew it would be a tough test, but the players showed great character to come back after being behind. Credit to St. Pölten, though, who made it a very difficult game, but our quality came through at the end.”.
Captain Melanie Brunnthaler found herself beaming with pride over the gutsy performance of her team against City, though. “We gave everything today and were even out in front for a while, but it wasn’t meant to be. City are one of the best teams in Europe, so to push them this far is what it says we can do.”.
A game of twists and turns was one Manchester City responded to well in order to emerge 3-2 winners, but St. Pölten deservedly takes all the plaudits for its spirited performance, while the difference surely is an attacking depth only City can offer and composure in front of the goal that no one else can match.