Who can stop Melbourne City? At the moment no one after the reigning premiers extended their unbeaten Ninja A-League season with a 2-0 victory away to Newcastle Jets.
Goals from Laura Hughes and Holly McNamara inspired City to a 16th league match without defeat in 2024-25.
After a goalless opening half, Hughes broke the deadlock in the 69th minute before in-form star and CommBank Matildas forward McNamara sealed the win with five minutes of regulation at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday night.
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City are now seven points clear atop the table, while the Jets are 10th and 11 points outside the top six.
The Jets were eyeing history in their showdown with unbeaten leaders City. Newcastle had never beaten the reigning premiers before in their history.
It was an entertaining first half in the Hunter region, where City star McNamara was on the bench following her memorable midweek hat-trick against Western United following her Matildas call-up.
City captain Rebekah Stott nearly opened the scoring in the 11th minute when her long-range strike rattled the crossbar.
There were a couple of opportunities for the Jets but City continued to press and probe on the road.
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After Mariana Speckmaier tried her luck from distance, Stott made a dramatic goal-line clearance at the other end to keep out Newcastle and Sophie Hoban.
The deadlock was finally broken 20 minutes from the end. It was Hughes who found the back of the net from the edge of the area.
Claire Adams nearly restored parity three minutes later but City goalkeeper Malena Mieres stood tall to keep out the Jets substitute from close range.
McNamara then completed the scoring during the closing stages after outpacing fellow Australia international Tash Prior.
