Mary Fowler double in vain as Man City lose to Arsenal

Mary Fowler's brilliant run of form has continued for Manchester City with another two goals - but her double proved in vain as they succumbed 4-3 at home to Arsenal in the Women's Super League.

In a match where Arsenal's own two Matildas, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Steph Catley, were also in the thick of the drama, their Australia teammate Fowler made it five goals and three assists in her last five WSL games on Sunday.

She twice dragged her side back into a thrilling contest at City's Academy Stadium, but eventually her 20th minute header and coolly taken second-half penalty weren't enough as the home defence let them down in a battle between two of league leaders Chelsea's closest pursuers.

A chaotic contest began crazily when Arsenal went ahead through Mariona Caldentey in just 42 seconds after Laia Aleixandri got calamitously caught in possession just outside her own box.

Then Cooney-Cross, Arsenal's midfield creator, curled in a delicious free-kick that Lotte Wubben-Moy headed home to put the visitors two up after just eight minutes.

Fowler struck with a rare headed goal in the far post, expertly nodding home Aoba Fujino's cross from the right, before Arsenal's former striker Vivianne Miedema drew City level minutes into the second half.

A minute later, Arsenal were back in front through Frida Maanum but their joy was short-lived when Matildas' captain Catley was adjudged to have brought down Fujino in the penalty box.

Catley protested - correctly - that the foul had occurred outside the area, but it was a gift for Fowler, who then comfortably handled the pressure of the 55th minute spot kick as she slotted home the equaliser.

City brought on star striker Khadija Shaw, seeking a winner, but Arsenal finished the stronger, with Swedish international Stina Blackstenius latching on to Beth Mead's low cross to seal a deserved win for the visitors.

"A tough one - but that's football," shrugged the 21-year-old Fowler afterwards.

"I thought overall we played pretty decent, some good football, but we did have a slow start. It's something for us to look back on and work on for the next game."

Arsenal moved up to third in the table, while Manchester United won 1-0 at Spurs in the day's late game to go second.

Yet United are still seven points adrift of champions Chelsea, who weren't at their best but prevailed with an 82nd-minute Sarah Mayling own goal to see off Aston Villa 1-0 at Villa Park and maintain their season's unbeaten record with a 12th win in 13 WSL matches.

Elsewhere, Leanne Kiernan's first-half goal secured Liverpool a 1-0 win over Katrina Gorry's struggling West Ham, while Kelly Gago struck twice as Clare Wheeler's Everton overpowered Leicester 4-1 at Walton Hall Park.

Dario Vidosic-managed Brighton ended a four-match winless run but were left frustrated when, clinging on to their 1-0 lead after playing most of the second half with 10 players, Crystal Palace's My Cato grabbed an 88th-minute equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw.

Vidosic was unimpressed by the sending off of Brighton's Maisie Symonds for a high challenge in the 48th minute, saying he'd be seeking an explanation from the official.