Australian star Mary Fowler set up what looked to be a winning goal, but Manchester City were pegged back by a late Manchester United equaliser to draw 1-1 in a fiercely contested Women's Super League derby at the Leigh Sports Ground on Sunday evening, ending the champions' perfect start to the WSL season.

Fowler's Assist Not Enough as United Strike Late

City broke the deadlock in the 66th minute when Fowler slid a precise pass through to Bunny Shaw, who was making her 100th WSL appearance. Shaw shook off a challenge from Dominique Janssen and drove a powerful effort into the far corner, silencing a home crowd that had booed and heckled her throughout the match.

The lead held until deep into the contest, when Norway international Elisabeth Terland blasted the ball into the net in the 89th minute to earn United a share of the spoils. The late strike proved costly for City, who had been the only side in the division yet to drop points this season.

Chelsea Take Top Spot on Goal Difference

The dropped points allowed Ellie Carpenter's Chelsea to leapfrog City to the summit on goal difference. Chelsea had earlier come from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-1, demonstrating their own resolve across the 90 minutes. Both clubs now sit on 19 points, with London City Lionesses third on 16 and Manchester United fourth on 11 after their hard-earned draw.

The title race is shaping into a compelling two-horse contest, and as fans of other sports know all too well, a single dropped point in a tight competition can prove decisive come season's end.

Van Egmond's Charlton Still Searching for First Point

Elsewhere in the division, Matildas veteran Emily van Egmond endured another difficult afternoon as Charlton Athletic suffered their seventh consecutive defeat, going down 1-0 to Birmingham City. Substitute Wilma Leidhammar scored the only goal of the game in the 68th minute, leaving Charlton anchored to the bottom of the table without a single point from their opening matches.

Other WSL Results

There was late drama on Merseyside, where Liverpool's Jana Fernandez Velasco struck deep into stoppage time to secure a 2-2 draw at home to London City Lionesses. Aston Villa were given a scare by Everton after racing to a 3-0 lead by the 50th minute, with Amalie Vangsgaard netting twice for the visitors. Everton fought back to make it 3-2, but Villa held on for the three points in a nervy finish.

With the season tightening at the top and sides like Charlton still looking for their footing, the WSL is shaping up as one of the more competitive editions in recent memory. For Fowler and her City teammates, the focus will quickly turn to ensuring Sunday's slip does not become a turning point in the title race.