Mary Fowler's late goal in vain on bad Women’s Super League day for Manchester City

Matildas ace Mary Fowler has crashed home a late penalty but it was not enough to deliver a perfect Yuletide gift for Manchester City as they squandered a glorious opportunity to gain ground on Women’s Super League champions Chelsea going into the Christmas break.

Fowler’s 88th minute spot kick, which she blasted straight down the middle straight through the grasp of goalie Courtney Brosnan, gave City late hope on Sunday but it still proved too little too late as Everton beat City, remarkably, for the first time ever in the WSL.

City’s shock 2-1 defeat proved a miserable afternoon for both their Matildas, with Fowler fairly anonymous for most of the rest of the match in an unaccustomed central striking role replacing the injured Khadija Shaw, while Alanna Kennedy simply had a match to forget.

The experienced central defender was caught hopelessly out of position for Lucy Hope’s headed goal after 31 minutes, and again looked on helpless at the heart of their defence as Honoka Hayashi grabbed the second eight minutes later.

Her display prompted manager Gareth Taylor to substitute Kennedy at halftime.

Fowler put away her third league goal of the season, and her second in successive weeks, from the spot after Yui Hasegawa had been dragged down by Karoline Olesen - yet it turned out to be just a consolation.

Everton’s win dealt a crushing blow to City’s hopes after Chelsea had opened the door at the top by drawing 1-1 with lowly Leicester the previous day, and Fowler’s crew are still six points behind the champions going into the Christmas break.

For another Matilda, Everton stalwart midfielder Clare Wheeler, it was, however, a touch of welcome respite in a tough season as she put in a yeoman shift in only the Toffees’ second league win of the season.

Arsenal’s three Matildas - Caitlin Foord, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Steph Catley - all featured in the Gunners’ hard-earned 1-0 win at Liverpool that puts them third, just a point behind City.

Alessio Russo gave the visitors a first-half lead and some good work from Foord on the right flank helped Arsenal win a penalty later before the break, only for Mariona Caldentey to send Australian keeper Teagan Micah the wrong way while hitting the post.

Manchester United are behind Arsenal on goal difference after Grace Clinton’s goal deep into first-half stoppage time gave them a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace.

Dario Vidosic’s Brighton are fifth after their 1-1 draw with sixth-placed Tottenham on Saturday, while Katrina Gorry’s assist for Viviane Asseyi’s goal proved in vain in West Ham’s 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa which leaves the Hammers 10th of the 12 teams.