Manchester City had to pull off a major scare against Austrian underdogs St Paul's to secure a convincing win in the Women's Champions League.
A week later, Gareth Taylor's side were given a major wake-up call at home when they trailed 2-1 early in the second half to beat reigning European champions Barcelona, deservedly one of the greatest performances in the club's history. But having rested the first-team's big hitters from the starting line-up, Taylor called on the cavalry in the second half and Australia's front-runner Mary Fowler gave them a 3-2 victory. The early season Women's Super League leaders piled on the pressure.
On a night where his side's defending from set pieces was abysmal, and on a night where they were disappointingly ineffective in front of goal at the other end, the performance would have given a relieved Taylor more to think about.
Early on, it looked like it was going to be a straightforward night for the English club, especially as Alana Kennedy lost her character to blast a searing, long-range strike into the far corner to open the scoring inside the first five minutes. It was the Australia centre-back's first goal in club football since a win against Birmingham City in May 2022, and her first in the Women's Champions League.
Ironically Kennedy spurned fans hoping he would convert, glancing a header wide of the back post from a Fowler corner with only two yards remaining. Laura Blindkilde Brown put another Guild-edge City chance wide, rather modestly, from close range in the first half when they were held up by a series of excellent saves from Karina Schlueter. Goalkeeper Jess Park gave St Bolton hope by denying Japan forward Aoba Fujino and Fowler, who agonizingly saw a deflected effort hit the crossbar.
The home side then grabbed a Melanie Brunthaler leveler to level some sloppy City. Taylor responded by subbing Jamaican striker Khadijah Shaw at half-time – much earlier than planned – for the scoreline. Last season's Champions League stages – Kamila Dubkova took a shock lead when she expertly fired into the corner of the net. This time it was a deep free-kick which City did not clear, allowing the Czech Republic midfielder to spin and score in the second phase.
With four minutes to go, Fujino pounced to make it 2-2 from Chloe Kelly's perfectly weighted cross, but Taylor wasn't satisfied – a trio of changes introduced A-listers Lauren Hemp, Jill Roord and Laia Alexandri, who also joined City. dominance In the end, a deadly inswinging corner from Hemb kept City's successful start to their Champions League campaign under Fowler intact.
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Taylor's much-changed starting side includes a senior club debut for 18-year-old Cody Thomas, and the manager will be encouraged by his form factor on the right. Another young City defender, 20-year-old England Under-23 international Naomi Lacey, was given a chance a week after she was a surprise star in the win over Barcelona with a goal and an assist.
There was also some reason to be encouraged for Kelly, who started the game as an unused substitute in the wins over Barcelona and Liverpool. His playing time so far this season has been reduced and there have been reports that he is considering leaving the club due to a falling out with Taylor. His assist for Fujino's second-half equalizer was key to the comeback.
