Logarzo brace leads Utd past City in ALW

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.

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.

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.

The Matildas midfielder added another from the penalty spot in the 96th minute.

United have now beaten three top-four teams from last season: City, Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United, along with Wellington.

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.

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.

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.

City received their golden chance to take the lead when Vlajnic was penalised for a handball.

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.

Logarzo, who had entered the game at half-time, then changed it.

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.

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.

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.

– BY ANNA HARRINGTON/ AAP