Stand-in striker Rachel Lowe netted a double as Sydney FC demolished league leaders Western United 3-0 at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
Princess Ibini grabbed the third with a powerful finish as the Sky Blues closed the gap at the top of the table to three points.
Ante Juric’s side also have two games in hand on United as the battle for the Premiership heats up.
But the win came at a cost with skipper Nat Tobin sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow card, before keeper Jada Whyman and defender Charlotte McLean left the field after a clash of heads.
The pair were assessed by the doctor post game, with Head Coach Juric waiting anxiously to see if they will be available for next Saturday’s match with Wellington at Kogarah.
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The Sky Blues struggled to get a sight of goal in the first half, but nearly took the lead when Mackenzie Hawkesby saw her powerful shot tipped over by the visiting keeper.
They finally broke through five minutes into the second half with Lowe cooly racing away from two defenders to convert Cortnee Vine’s through-ball.
Midfielder Lowe was playing as an emergency striker with key forward Madison Haley still missing with a hip niggle.
Matilda’s star Vine was the creator again in 64th minute with a clever cut-back that Lowe thumped home from close range.
And Ibini secured all the points in the 81st minute by thumping home the third off the underside of the bar.
There was time for 15-year-old Indiana Dos Santos to make her Liberty A-League debut from the bench before Sydney FC closed out a win that rubber stamps our title credentials as bid for back-to-back title wins.
