Melbourne City leapfrogged Sydney FC into second place on the Westfield W-League table after a gritty 2-1 away win against the Sky Blues.
The visitors had to be at their best to keep a resolute Sydney FC at bay. The Sky Blues came back from a goal down before eventually succumbing to a wave of City pressure in the second half to lose their first game of the 2019/20 campaign.
City arrived at Cromer Park with a point to prove as they looked to close a two-point gap on the table between the two sides and the away side got off to the perfect start, taking the lead just three minutes into the contest.
Emily van Egmond put the visitors ahead finishing off a swift City counter attack to bank her third goal of the campaign and put her side in the driving seat.
Both sides enjoyed a number of chances to score throughout the half but it was Sydney who eventually drew level through Sofia Huerta, who took an inch-perfect ball from Chloe Logarzo in her stride to fire home the equaliser.
Play resumed in the second half with both sides locked in a tight battle and it seemed it would take something special to break the deadlock, and that something came through a Milica Mijatović half-volley from the tip of the box which rattled the back of the net and gave City back the lead.
After regaining the lead with 15 minutes to play City held firm against a late barrage from the Sky Blues to claim all three points and overtake their opponents in second spot on the Westfield W-League table.
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Key moments
Early van Egmond strike gives City the lead
Melbourne City got off to a dream start scoring early through new recruit Emily van Egmond, who continued her rich vein of scoring form with her third goal of the campaign.
City hurtled onto a counter attack through Mijatović who dribbled from her own half toward the edge of the box.
A smart run from City striker Claire Emslie opened up a chasm in Sydney’s defence, allowing van Egmond to slip into the box, receive the ball from Mijatovic and drive a low shot into the opposite corner of the net.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6113982477001
Williams keeps City on top
After falling behind early Sydney FC turned up the intensity, generating a number of decent sights on goal.
But as each chance came, City goalkeeper Lydia Williams was on hand to quash the danger, making a number of impressive saves to keep Princess Ibini and Remy Siemsen from scoring from clear-cut chances.
Athletic Green block denies the visitors a second
City striker Emslie looked certain to double City’s lead when she got her toe on a dangerous ball into the box from Yukari Kinga.
But Sky Blues defender Ally Green was quickly on hand to make a reflex block which diverted the ball away from goal, off the left post and away from danger.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6113990467001
Huerta gets the Sky Blues back in the contest
Sydney managed to draw level through a well-worked Huerta goal as an entertaining first half of play drew to a close.
Logarzo crafted the chance from midfield, picking out Huerta who was drifting into the back post with a perfectly-weighted through ball.
The American touched the ball down onto her right and won out in a tussle with Carpenter, firing a shot under the out-rushing Williams into the back of the net.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6113989402001
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Bledsoe stands tall to deny Catley
Posed with a guilt-edged chance to put her side back in front, City captain Steph Catley was denied a crucial goal by the outstretched leg of Sydney goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe.
Catley found herself in an acre of space in the box and hit a low curling effort toward the bottom right corner but Bledsoe was up to the challenge, making a smart block to keep the scores level.
Mijatović breaks the game open with hammer strike
Despite repelling the danger of City’s attack for the bulk of the game there was nothing Sydney could do to stop half volley from Mijatović which rifled into the top corner, handing the lead back to the visitors.
Carpenter whipped a dangerous ball into the box, which was cleared by Ellie Brush, but Mijatović arrived at the edge of the box to fire a rocket off her left peg past Bledsoe and into the back of the net.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6113995235001
Sydney FC head north to play Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium in Round 5. The match on Sunday, 15 December kicks off at 4pm AEDT. Get your tickets here
Find out more information at the Match Centre here
Melbourne City host the Victory in the Round 5 Melbourne Derby on Thursday, 12 December. The match at ABD Stadium kicks off at 7.30pm AEDT. Get your tickets here
Find out more information at the Match Centre here
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