Mary Fowler has claimed the Women’s Super League title with Manchester City, but some of her Australian teammates at Arsenal are feeling disappointed in their pursuit of the championship.
City celebrated their victory on Wednesday evening, despite not playing a match that day. They gathered together to watch as Arsenal, featuring Caitlin Foord, could only manage a 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion. This result allowed City to secure the league title for the first time in ten years, triggering jubilant celebrations among the squad.
The achievement can be partly attributed to Brighton’s Australian manager, Dario Vidosic, whose team executed a well-planned game strategy to thwart Arsenal’s ambitions. Arsenal entered the match trailing City by 11 points, but with three games in hand, they needed a decisive victory to narrow the gap, especially in terms of goal difference. However, even a win might not have sufficed.
After their recent exit from the Champions League at the hands of Lyon, Arsenal appeared lackluster. Brighton’s Fuka Tsunoda scored just before halftime, putting the visitors in a challenging position. While Frida Maanum equalized in the 62nd minute, Arsenal could not find a winning goal at Broadfield Stadium. This outcome allowed Andree Jeglertz to celebrate a successful first season as City’s coach.
Fowler’s journey back to the field has been remarkable; the 23-year-old midfielder has been with City for four years, becoming a significant figure within the team. She made her return in February following an ACL injury that sidelined her for more than nine months after the Women’s FA Cup semifinal in April 2025.
“Winning the WSL title with this team is something I will cherish forever,” said coach Jeglertz. “The players have confronted every challenge this season with determination, and coaching them has been a tremendous pleasure.”
Arsenal’s efforts were hindered by the absence of two Matildas; Steph Catley was still recovering from an injury, while Kyra Cooney-Cross had returned to Australia to care for her unwell mother. This left Foord to spearhead Arsenal’s attack. However, her attempt in the second half was thwarted by a remarkable fingertip save from Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, as Arsenal fell short of securing the crucial three points they needed. This defeat also marked the end of Chelsea’s six-year championship streak, led by Sam Kerr.
