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AAP
AAP
Sport
Anna Harrington and Nicholas Zorbas

Wanderers stun City to blow open ALW title race

Michael Matricciani's table-topping Melbourne City have been shocked by the ALW cellar dwellars. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Western Sydney have stunned A-League Women leaders Melbourne City 1-0 to blow the premiership race wide open.

An unfortunate Aideen Keane own goal in a backs-to-the-wall Wanderers performance proved enough to deliver Geoff Abrahams's charges their third straight win.

City, who have lost two consecutive games for the first time since January 2024, enjoy just a one point lead at the top after 13 rounds.

The result lifted Western Sydney off the bottom of the table and to within four points of the top six.

And they remained in 10th spot after the late game on Wednesday night at Leichhardt Oval saw Brisbane defeat Sydney FC 3-1, condemning the Sky Blues to 11th and last place.

After Daisy Brown's opener was cancelled out by a Hana Lowry strike, Momo Hayashi's brace sealed all three points and lifted the Roar up to second and one point above Wellington, who have a game in hand.

In Melbourne, defender Karly Roestbakken lamented City's inability to finish with 21 shots but just two on target.

"Really disappointing from us, it's not really our standards," Roestbakken told Paramount+.

Michael Matricciani's side, amid a tight schedule, benched golden boot leader Holly McNamara and star midfielder Leticia McKenna.

The Wanderers got away with one 16 minutes into the match when Amy Harrison clearly handballed Chinaza Uchendu's shot in the box but City's pleas for a penalty went unheard.

Western Sydney broke through in the 35th minute when Keane got her body positioning all wrong at the back post and chested Talia Younis's corner into her own net.

"We just had to sit and wait for our moment, which was pretty good," young gun Younis said.

"Honestly I just think mentally we're in it and we believe in each other and we know we can do it.

"It's just clicked and it's happening."

In the 41st minute, New Zealand international Deven Jackson spurned a golden chance to equalise when she shot over the bar.

At halftime, City had 72 per cent possession and eight shots, but none on target to show for their dominance - compared to Western Sydney's one shot on target from three attempts.

City replaced Keane with McNamara at the break, seeking a spark.

Four minutes into the second half, City skipper Rebekah Stott grazed the top of the net with a long-range effort.

McNamara forced a save from Shamiran Khamis in the 88th minute, while the Wanderers goalkeeper comfortably handled an added-time McKenna effort.

City are next in action at home to Brisbane on Sunday, when Western Sydney play host to Adelaide United.

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