Mary Fowler sends Man City into Women’s League Cup Final

Photo credit: Manchester City FC

Manchester City have beaten Arsenal in a dramatic semi-final with a last-minute winner from double goal-scorer, Mary Fowler.

The match started at 7:30pm after a thirty-minute kick-off delay due to awaiting the arrival of a broken-down ambulance. City asserted their dominance early, with Daphne van Domselaar making her first save within seven minutes.

At 26 minutes, Mary Fowler's first of a brace flew past van Domselaar and nestled in the top corner. Vivianne Miedema, a former Arsenal player, made a box-to-box run, advancing the ball to Fowler after driving it up the pitch.

Arsenal's first scoring opportunity appeared minutes later, as Leah Williamson's superb pass found Stina Blackstenius, whose shot narrowly missed.

Following a rebound off Jill Roord's effort, Fowler's goal was ruled offside, maintaining the 1-0 scoreline.

A late tackle by City's Layzell on Steph Catley resulted in the game's one and only yellow card, issued just before halftime.

Both teams played with tighter structures in a more intense second half. New signing Kerolin Nicoli, making her first City start, quickly proved dangerous, striking the woodwork from a cross within minutes. A powerful long-range strike from Fujino hit the Arsenal goalpost shortly after.

Arsenal upped the ante as Mariona Caldentey's dazzling display in the 51st minute, weaving past opponents, resulted in a missed opportunity to score. Lotte Wubben-Moy's subsequent solo run, carrying the ball the length of the pitch, unfortunately also resulted in a miss.

Arsenal's equaliser came in minute 56. A penalty coming their way after Blackstenius was tackled in the box by Knaak. Showing great composure, Caldentey calmly walks up and coolly slots the ball home.

City earned a penalty just three minutes later, yet van Domselaar's save stopped Fowler from putting them ahead.

Arsenal had a scoring opportunity in the final ten minutes when Williamson's brilliant pass, splitting four defenders, found Blackstenius, but she was offside.

In the final seconds, Mary Fowler scored twice, getting past van Domselaar, thus sending Manchester City to the final and Arsenal out.

The exciting game featured outstanding performances from many players on both teams, who all played exceptionally well.

Manchester City will face Chelsea in the final of the Women’s League Cup.