Despite beating European champions Barcelona in their group stage opener last week, the Cityzens were pushed surprisingly hard in Vienna on Wednesday
Mary Fowler came to Manchester City's rescue on Wednesday as they just about backed up last week's statement win over European champions Barcelona with a dramatic 3-2 victory over St. Polten, in their second match of this year's Champions League group stage. In what would have been an almighty comedown after last week's high, Gareth Taylor's side were actually staring defeat in the face for a brief few minutes in the second half, but they came through in the end with a late turnaround.
It looked like it would be smooth sailing for the Cityzens in Vienna when centre-back Alanna Kennedy rifled in a wicked strike from range with just five minutes on the clock. They had plenty of chances to add to that lead, too, with Aoba Fujino and Mary Fowler both hitting the woodwork. However, St. Polten never stopped believing they could get a result from this game and, with less than an hour played, they led.
Khiara Keating and Alex Greenwood failed to play out from the back to inadvertently create the chance for the first, with Melanie Brunnthaler capitalising on poor defending from the resulting corner. Similar issues led to the third goal of the game, with City just not switched on when the opposition recycled a free-kick situation and Kamila Dubcova produced a wonderful finish to punish them again.
However, Taylor's side stayed calm. Minutes later, Chloe Kelly's superb ball was expertly put away by Fujino and when Lauren Hemp delivered a deadly cross of her own late in the game, Fowler was on hand to finally nod her team in front again. It wasn't pretty, and there is plenty to improve on, but it was enough.
GOAL rates Man City's players from Viola Park…
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Khiara Keating (5/10):
Shouldn't have played the ball into Greenwood as she did in the build-up to St. Polten's equaliser.
Codie Thomas (6/10):
A really promising senior debut. Defended well one-v-one and offered a great outlet going forward.
Alanna Kennedy (6/10):
Broke the deadlock with an absolute worldie but played her part in the poor set-piece defending.
Alex Greenwood (4/10):
An uncharacteristically poor display in which she had a hand in both goals conceded.
Leila Ouahabi (5/10):
If she connected with her header from St. Polten's corner, they wouldn't have equalised.
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Yui Hasegawa (7/10):
Was her usual energetic self and always thought two steps ahead when in possession. Fantastic.
Laura Blindkilde Brown (6/10):
Buzzed around the edge of the box and always got involved when she could. Would've had a goal if not for a top save.
Jess Park (6/10):
Continued her great early season form with another lively performance before being taken off at half-time for Shaw.
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Chloe Kelly (7/10):
Really strong hour in which she was City's brightest attacker. Great cross for Fujino's goal.
Mary Fowler (7/10):
Struggled for service as a No.9 in the first half but became more involved when moved out wide after the break and came up big with the late goal.
Aoba Fujino (7/10):
Final ball wasn't always there but she caused plenty of problems. Great technique for her goal.
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Khadija Shaw (5/10):
On at half time but couldn't really get involved.
Lauren Hemp (7/10):
Made a huge impact with her powerful running and delivered the cross that Fowler equalised from.
Jill Roord (6/10):
A positive introduction. She continues to look bright despite being so early into her return from an ACL injury.
Laia Aleixandri (6/10):
Added composure to a defence that failed to convince.
Gareth Taylor (7/10):
Made sense to rotate and it felt like he got the balance right but terrible set-piece defending forced him into changes. He wasn't passive with them, giving the substitutes plenty of time to make an impact and they did, to secure a win.
