Shortlist confirmed for February Etihad Women’s Player of the Month | OneFootball

Voting for February’s Etihad Women’s Player of the Month award is now open!

City won three of our four matches across the month before the international break, competing in three separate competitions.

Following a narrow 4-3 defeat to Arsenal in the Barclays Women’s Super League, we responded in style four days later to beat the Gunners 2-1 and progress into the Subway League Cup final.

After the Londoners had cancelled out Mary Fowler’s opener, the Australia international scored with virtually the last kick of the game to send Gareth Taylor’s team through to the showpiece where we’ll meet Chelsea.

VOTE FOR YOUR ETIHAD PLAYER OF THE MONTH

The Blues then secured passage into the Adobe Women’s FA Cup quarter-final with a 3-1 win over Leicester at the Joie Stadium.

On that occasion, goals from Leila Ouahabi, Kerolin Nicoli and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw helped us to the success.

We closed February with a superb 4-0 win over Liverpool in the WSL thanks to goals from Shaw (two) and Jill Roord, alongside Gracie Prior’s first for the Club.

Among a swathe of sparkling, individual displays we’ve had a difficult time selecting three nominees for this month's award.

But you can find out who’s up for the prize below and cast your vote...

WATCH: Extended Highlights: Arsenal 1-2 City

REBECCA KNAAK

Rebecca Knaak has made a fantastic start to life at City and this nomination is her second in succession after arriving on New Year’s Day from Rosengard.

After the frustrating defeat to Arsenal in the WSL, the 28-year-old delivered a commanding display against the Gunners as we secured passage into the Subway League Cup final.

In our back-to-back wins over Leicester and Liverpool, she was once again at the heart of a strong defensive performance as her relationship with Laia Aleixandri at centre-back continues to grow from strength to strength.

Her displays for City have also earned her international recognition, with Knaak making her senior debut for Germany in their Nations League 2-2 draw with the Netherlands.

VOTE FOR REBECCA

WATCH: Extended highlights: City 4-0 Liverpool

MARY FOWLER

Fowler’s phenomenal form continued in February with the versatile forward scoring four goals and registering two assists across the month.

She became the first player in WSL history to register two goal involvements in four straight top-flight matches, which included a brace in our defeat to Arsenal.

The 22-year-old then broke the deadlock in our League Cup semi-final clash with the Gunners before netting the winner with a stinging drive from the edge of the box on the cusp of full-time.

She then helped us to a 3-1 win over Leicester in the FA Cup before claiming two assists against Liverpool in our WSL triumph at the Joie Stadium.

VOTE FOR MARY

AOBA FUJINO

After fully settling in England and adapting to the rigours of the WSL following her summer arrival Tokyo Verdy Beleza, Fujino continued to stamp her authority on proceedings in February.

She set up Fowler for her first in the defeat to Arsenal with a vicious cross from the right hand side in a lively display at the Joie Stadium.

VOTE FOR AOBA

Another assist followed in our win over Leicester when her pinpoint delivery from the right was headed home by Shaw, helping us into the FA Cup quarter-finals.

She may not have added to either her goal or assist tally against Liverpool, but Fujino was once again outstanding in our 4-0 win over the Reds, with her tenacity and creativity epitomising the form she's currently in.