Fans erupt as teammate spotted in staggering on-field act after Mary Fowler injury
Mary Fowler and Sam Kerr both copped another unwanted setback amid their stint on the sidelines on Sunday, with Fowler's Manchester City side now next-to-no chance of playing Champions League next season. And Kerr's hopes of helping Chelsea win four titles this season suffered a huge blow after they went down to Barcelona 4-1 in their first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
The worst fears for Fowler were confirmed last week, with the Matildas superstar suffering an ACL injury. She's now in a race against time to be fit for the Asian Cup on home soil next year, and it continued a season from hell for Man City.
The prospect of having Champions League football to inspire her on the long road to recovery was virtually extinguished on Sunday after City were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Everton in the Women's Super League. The draw left City on 36 points in the league - seven behind Manchester United in third place.
With only the top three qualifying for next season's Champions League, it means fourth-placed City are little chance to make it with only three games remaining. The Australian star was clearly in her teammates' thoughts on Sunday, with Kerstin Casparij holding up a Fowler shirt after scoring. Kerolin Nicoli then picked up the jersey off the ground and kissed it.
The injury-hit team were unable to hold on to their 13th-minute lead, with Everton equalising through Karen Holmgaard 20 minutes later. The Dane headed in a cross from her identical twin sister Sara, and Aussie Clare Wheeler helped Everton hold onto a 1-1 draw.
Kerstin Casparij holding up Mary Fowler's shirt after her goal 🩵 Kerolin picks it up and kisses itAlways with you Mary 🩵 pic.twitter.com/vmZQUbLD20
— 💃 (@insidemcwfc) April 20, 2025
Here's some frames from @ManCityWomen vs @EvertonWomen, this afternoon - with a lovely tribute to Mary Fowler from team-mates Kerstin Casparij & Kerolin Nicoli! 📸 Full album 📱👇🏼https://t.co/FAlYyGWrNW#photography #mcfc #fawsl #everton #football pic.twitter.com/DkefEXwbNo
— Deborah Eastham (@DEasthamphoto) April 20, 2025
After Kerstin Casparij scored for City, her teammates lifted Mary Fowler's jersey in a powerful show of love and support - a touching tribute to their teammate after the heartbreak of her ACL injury.
— Ally Flan (@AllyFlan) April 20, 2025
Kerstin casparij dedicating her goal to Mary Fowler makes me want to cry 🥺🩵
— Lily (@LilyxMeadema) April 20, 2025
In Spain, the Kerr-less Chelsea were thrashed by Barcelona and now need a minimum of four goals in the second leg of their semi-final to make the Champions League decider. Kerr is still considered a few weeks away from returning, and would seemingly be little chance to play in the second leg.
The wait for her return has rarely seemed longer to Chelsea fans than it did in Catalonia on Sunday as the Blues were blown away. Already missing Kerr and American striker Mia Fishel, the London club lost England international Lauren James on the eve of the match, leaving them light in attack against the defending champs.
While Barcelona were able to bring the competition's leading scorer (Claudia Pina) off the bench, Chelsea had fewer attacking options. Pina scored twice as Barca struck three times in the closing 20 minutes to secure an imposing first-leg lead.
Ellie Carpenter's Lyon side beat Arsenal 2-1 on Saturday in the other semi-final, with a repeat of last year's final seeming likely. But Chelsea's former Barca player Lucy Bronze insisted her team can overturn the odds at home next Sunday.
"I think we can do it," the England defender told TNT Sports. "Never say never. Nothing is impossible."
Chelsea are hoping to have Kerr back by the end of the domestic season, and the Australian will be keen to help the Blues win as many titles as possible. They already beat Fowler and City in the League Cup final, and are favourites to win the WSL and FA Cup trophies as well. Champions League glory might be out of the equation, but Kerr might be back to help the Blues lift at least one trophy in coming weeks.
with AAP
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