WESTERN United have underlined their status as A-League Women contenders, with Chloe Logarzo’s brace headlining a 3-1 upset of Melbourne City that sent the newcomers top of the table.<\/p>\n
United snatched the lead through an Adriana Taranto sucker punch just two minutes into the clash before City’s Emina Ekic equalised with a lovely finish in the 28th.<\/p>\n
Western goalkeeper Hilary Beall pulled off a fantastic penalty save in the 54th minute before Logarzo’s stunning long-range effort, her first goal for her new club, put United in front at AAMI Park.<\/p>\n
The Matildas midfielder added another from the penalty spot in the 96th minute.<\/p>\n
United have now beaten three top-four teams from last season: City, Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United, along with Wellington.<\/p>\n
United drew first blood when Taranto pinched the ball off Leah Davidson, played a one-two with Hannah Keane, then dragged a lovely strike into the bottom corner.<\/p>\n
For City’s equaliser, Bryleeh Henry beat Tyla-Jay Vlajnic and whipped the ball towards Rojas and the United clearance spilled out to Ekic, who took a couple of nice touches then buried the ball inside the near post.<\/p>\n
City could have led two minutes into the second half when Ekic pulled off a wonderful long ball over the top to find Rojas and the Chilean’s attempted chip hit the crossbar.<\/p>\n
City received their golden chance to take the lead when Vlajnic was penalised for a handball.<\/p>\n
But skipper Rhianna Pollicina’s penalty was slow towards the bottom corner and Beall pulled off a brilliant one-handed diving save to keep scores level.<\/p>\n
Logarzo, who had entered the game at half-time, then changed it.<\/p>\n
She danced between City midfielders, played a one-two with Emma Robers, had an attempted pass blocked then ripped a wonderful long-range strike inside the roof of the net.<\/p>\n
Logarzo added a second from the spot after Jessica McDonald forced a handball from Julia Grosso, sealing three points with the final kick of the game.<\/p>\n
A group of United fans put up a protest banner saying “fan$ put la$t’, in reference to the Australian Professional Leagues’ decision to sell the next three grand finals to Sydney.<\/p>\n