Fowler scores late winner as Man City beat Arsenal in semi-final

Emily Salley
BBC Sport journalist at Meadow Park

Mary Fowler scored a 95th-minute winner as Manchester City avenged last Sunday's defeat by Arsenal and reached the Women's League Cup final.

In a semi-final played just five days after the Gunners claimed a thrilling 4-3 victory over City in the Women's Super League, Fowler had a second-half penalty saved - but redeemed herself with a late, low strike into the bottom right corner.

The Australia forward had opened the scoring in the 26th minute when she rifled past Daphne van Domselaar, but the visitors were pegged back when Mariona Caldentey converted from the spot 10 minutes after the break.

The semi-final reached a boiling point moments later as Fowler was left with her head in her hands after sending her penalty straight at the Arsenal keeper.

But as the threat of extra time loomed, Fowler ended the night as the hero and City's reward is a meeting with WSL leaders Chelsea in the final on 15 March at at Derby's Pride Park Stadium.

It will be a chance for under-pressure City boss Gareth Taylor to win his first trophy with the club since the League Cup in 2022.

However, their victory was somewhat overshadowed by the absence of the club's top scorer Khadija Shaw.

The Jamaica striker withdrew from the semi-final to "protect her mental well-being" after she was subjected to racist and misogynistic abuse following Sunday's game.

Fowler finds form to send Man City to final

Mary Fowler of Manchester City (obscured) celebrates with teammates Jill Roord, Aoba Fujino and Vivianne MiedemaGetty Images

Mary Fowler sent Manchester City to their first Women's League Cup final in three years

Taylor said his side were in need of a "pick-me-up" and his wishes were certainly granted with a win that takes City one step closer to silverware.

The victory will be sweeter - because of Sunday's disappointment and because of the manner of the late win against the holders, who had won the trophy in each of the past two seasons.

City found themselves 2-0 down within 10 minutes at the weekend, but looked more threatening in the early exchanges on Thursday.

And the hosts were punished when former Arsenal forward Vivianne Miedema stole possession from Kyra Cooney-Cross in the middle park before making a darting run forward and feeding in Fowler, who swept home City's first goal.

The pair linked up well throughout the game, and Fowler thought she had a second when she found the net before the break - only for it to be ruled out for offside.

And after the disappointment of her penalty miss, Fowler treated the travelling support with an emphatic finish as her shot nestled into the bottom corner.

Slegers misses out on first final as Gunners boss

Arsenal had rubbed salt into City's wounds with their thrilling win in the WSL just days after the end of a turbulent transfer saga between the clubs involving Chloe Kelly.

Kelly, having joined the Gunners on loan from City, was again not involved as she was ineligible to face her parent club.

But the England forward watched on as her new club were prevented from reaching a third straight League Cup final.

The Gunners had won the past two finals against Chelsea under Jonas Eidevall, with Renee Slegers' as his assistant coach for last year's triumph.

Slegers has enjoyed an impressive run of form since taking over from Eidevall in October and it looked as if they were about to hand City another blow as momentum swung towards the Gunners after Caldentey's goal.

But Taylor's side got themselves back in the game as the threat of extra time drew closer, and Fowler's goal ensured they handed Slegers just her second defeat in 17 games.

Player of the match

M. Fowler
7.60
14 D. van Domselaar
6.68
8 Mariona Caldentey
6.61
2 E. Fox
6.14
3 L. Wubben-Moy
6.05
32 K. Cooney-Cross
5.98
7 S. Catley
5.84
6 L. Williamson
5.81
23 A. Russo
5.70
13 L. Wälti
5.55
25 S. Blackstenius
5.55
19 C. Foord
5.55
11 K. McCabe
5.35
12 F. Maanum
5.12
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