Fresh from her latest starring role for the Matildas, Mary Fowler has flown back across the world for another bit part as Manchester City surged to the top of the Women's Super League table.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
City won 2-1 at home to Everton, who had another Matilda Clare Wheeler in their ranks, as they went three points clear of champions Chelsea at the summit of the WSL in Saturday's only game.
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson had noted, after Fowler had run the show in their final Olympic qualifiers against Uzbekistan, that he hoped clubs would sit up and take notice of their Matildas' outstanding national form.
If City boss Gareth Taylor did, then he still couldn't find a place for the 21-year-old in their starting line-up for the match against Everton, making it over three months since the Australian last started a league match for City.
And why would he change the side which has now won 12 matches in a row in all competitions as goals from the ever-prolific Khadija Shaw and Lauren Hemp took them clear of Chelsea, who can respond against Leicester on Sunday (Monday AEDT).
City were dominant from the start and were gifted a 15th minute opener when Jamaican ace Shaw intercepted a dismally misdirected Justine Vanhaevermaet back pass to fire home, a lead that was doubled 10 minutes after the break with England star Hemp's fine low curler from distance.
Though Hanna Bennison reduced the gap with another brilliant long-range effort off the crossbar, City had enough control to have the luxury of bringing on Fowler for a late 15-minute cameo.
A very impressive one it was too, with the Australian making one stirring run down the left flank and into the box, only spoiled by her poor right-foot finish wide of the target.
She then delivered a tantalising cross from the right that Shaw, who now has a league-leading 15 goals this term, couldn't quite reach.
Australian Associated Press
