Champions Sydney FC have bounced back to form in dominant fashion, beating Newcastle Jets 2-0 at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.
A goal in each half from in-form striker Remy Siemsen was the difference as the Sky Blues returned to winning ways after their loss to Melbourne City last weekend.
It’s the third match this season Siemsen has scored a brace, taking her tally to six for the campaign and the top of the Westfield W-League Golden Boot standings.
The result takes Ante Juric’s side into second spot on the ladder, one point behind Melbourne City ahead of next weekend’s derby against the unbeaten Western Sydney Wanderers.
The Jets were brave throughout the contest but struggled to create meaningful chances.
Craig Deans’ side remain in seventh spot on four points, three behind fourth-place Canberra United.
VOTE: Westfield W-League Coach of the Month – November
VOTE: Westfield W-League Player of the Month – November
Key moments
Sydney FC showed their intent right from the start as Caitlin Foord almost gave them the lead inside the first 40 seconds.
The Westfield Matildas attacker left four defenders in her wake on a marauding run into the box, only to have her effort saved by keeper Claire Coelho.
It was a sign of things to come as the Sky Blues continued to create the best chances with Chloe Logarzo testing the keeper from distance, while skipper Teresa Polias forced Coelho into a fine save.
Noticing the shot-stopper off her line, Polias went for a chip from well outside the box, with Coelho scurrying back to tip the ball over the bar.
Sydney FC’s pressure eventually told just after the hour-mark as with Siemsen continuing her rich vein of form.
The striker capitalised on a sensational cross from right-back Angelique Hristodoulou, getting in front of her defender to nod in a header from close range.
The Jets were forced into a change at the break as Westfield Matildas defender Gema Simon succumbed to an injury.
And things went from bad to worse for the hosts just five minutes after the resumption.
Coelho inexplicably passed it straight to Siemsen inside the box, with the striker taking a touch before side-footing past the keeper with ease.
Coelho was desperate to make amends for her error and came up big to deny the returning Alanna Kennedy a third Sydney FC goal.
After the visitors won a free-kick when Princess Ibini was fouled on the edge of the box, Kennedy stepped up and curled a precise shot towards the bottom corner of the net.
But Coelho showed excellent reflexes and agility to get across and parry it away for a corner.
The Jets weren’t giving up and forced Aubrey Bledsoe into a couple of smart saves in quick succession inside the last 15 minutes.
First Hannah Brewer made Bledsoe dive down low to tip a shot around the post before Libby Copus-Brown had another effort from distance that brought the best out of the keeper.
But Sydney FC were soon back in their stride and should have had another goal as first Coelho denied Caitlin Foord with a great stop, before Chloe Logarzo spurned a great chance in the dying minutes.
After a bye in Round 6, the Jets return to action in Round 7 on Sunday, December 29 against Brisbane Roar. The match at Lions Stadium kicks off at 4pm local time, 5pm AEDT.
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Sydney FC have a huge derby against Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 6 at Bankwest Stadium on Friday, December 20. The match kicks off at 5pm AEDT as part of a double-header with the Hyundai A-League.
Get tickets to the match here
Follow the match in the LIVE match centre here
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