Mary Fowler’s perfect response to Panthers comment as rumours swirl

Mary Fowler has responded in the perfect fashion following comments from the Panthers about bringing her back to Australia.

As much as the Panthers might hope to bring her back home, Mary Fowler is in career best form and isn’t going anywhere.

Fowler produced another superb performance as Manchester City made a spectacular return to the Women’s Champions League on Thursday (AEDT) defeating defending champions Barcelona 2-0 in the opening round of group stage matches, while Bayern Munich downed Arsenal 5-2.

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The 21-year-old forward struggled to crack the City starting side last season but has begun the new campaign in excellent form, spending more time as a winger.

Fowler wowed fans with an impressive all-round game, finishing with the most completed dribbles and several perfectly-weighted through balls.

Both teams hit the woodwork in a lively start to the Group D clash at a sold-out Joie Stadium in Manchester, with City grabbing the lead when defender Naomi Layzell bravely scrambled home.

Vivianne Miedema headed smartly back across goal from a corner and a lunging Layzell reacted quickest to prod the ball past a crowd of Barcelona players.

Mary Fowler is in red hot form for Manchester City. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)

Khadija Shaw grabbed a second for City to condemn Barcelona to a rare defeat.

“It’s fantastic from Naomi and Bunny (Shaw) finishes it off. It gave the players a real lift and we have to remember who we’re playing against. It’s a step for us,” City manager Gareth Taylor told DAZN.

“I said in my press conference yesterday that I really admire Barcelona and what they’ve done and we try to replicate that.”

City are making their first group stage appearance, having last played in the Champions League proper in 2020-21 when Barcelona knocked them out in the quarter-finals.

The defeat is only Barcelona’s second in 19 games in the group stage since its introduction for the 2021-22 season. It is also the first time they have failed to score a goal.

Cleary is heading over to the UK to spend time with Fowler.

It’s been a golden few days for Fowler and her boyfriend Nathan Cleary, who helped Penrith clinch a historic fourth straight NRL premiership as Fowler scored a goal in City’s 2-0 win over West Ham on Sunday.

It emerged on Wednesday that Cleary is delaying surgery on his troublesome shoulder to spend some time with Fowler in England while she represents Manchester City.

Fowler’s performance in a statement win comes after Penrith CEO Brian Fletcher joked the club needed to “bring Mary back” to Australia to keep halfback Nathan Cleary at the club and continue their premiership dynasty.

Speaking at a premiership function at Panthers Leagues Club, Brian Fletcher with Ivan and Nathan Cleary contracted until 2027, the club was aiming for more glory.

“Last year on radio I said if we win in ‘23, we’ll definitely win in ‘24 and ‘25,” Fletcher told the crowd. “So don’t be afraid of next year.

“We’ve also got ‘26 and ‘27 to go.

“And why I say that is, Ivan Cleary and Nathan Cleary are signed until the end of ‘27.

“It’s my job and the CEO of football, Matt Cameron, to extend that as far as we can.

“Matt’s job also is he’s got to bring Mary back to Australia.”

Fletcher’s somewhat tongue-in-cheek comment and those three words ‘bring Mary back’ come in the wake of reports Nathan was considering a season in the UK Super League, so he could spend more time with the goalscorer.

Fowler showing her Penrith support and during a recent catch-up. Photos: Instagram

The victory continues Man City’s unbeaten start to the season. Fowler’s team currently sits on top of the Women’s Super League (WSL) standings in the very early stages of the season.

Rivals Chelsea have won the past four WSL titles, but their stranglehold could be well broken this season if Fowler and Man City keep up their scintillating form.

Chelsea’s Australian striker Sam Kerr has returned to training and is targeting a return from her ACL injury after the Christmas mid-season break.

Champions League disappointment for fellow Aussies

It wasn’t such good news for Arsenal’s Australian contingent of Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley and Kyra Kooney-Cross.

Pernille Harder scored a second-half hat-trick as Bayern Munich kicked off their Group C campaign with a convincing 5-2 victory over Arsenal in Germany.

Arsenal led through Mariona Caldentey’s strike in Germany, but Bayern captain Glodis Viggosdottir brought the home side level before Sydney Lohmann put them ahead.

Bayern Munich were too good for Arsenal. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

Laia Codina equalised for Arsenal midway through the second half only for Harder to find the net three times in the final 20 minutes to secure an impressive win for German champions Bayern.

Juventus are level with Bayern on three points following a 1-0 win away to Norway’s Valerenga, with Sofia Cantore netting the only goal.

Swedish side Hammarby won their first ever group stage game 2-0 against Austrian champions St Poelten, who are appearing in the group phase for the third season in a row.

Vilde Hasund’s long-range effort gave Hammarby the lead and Cathinka Tandberg followed up her late winner in qualifying by wrapping up the points with another goal two minutes from time.

Fellow Matildas star Ellie Carpenter is the last Aussie to win the Champions League with Olympique Lyonnais.

— With AFP

Originally published as Mary Fowler’s perfect response to Panthers comment as rumours swirl