W-League: Melbourne City worked hard by Newcastle Jets in 1-0 win

Melbourne City began their W-League title defence with a gritty win over Newcastle Jets.

Melbourne City’s Stephanie Catley leaves a Newcastle defender behind during City’s 1-0 win against the Jets.

Reigning W-League champions Melbourne City edged out Newcastle Jests courtesy of an early goal from Marianna Tabain to begin their title defence with a win yesterday.

City went through undefeated en route to a grand final victory last season, but the hard-fought nature of their 1-0 win yesterday suggests 2016/16 will be a tightly affair.

Indeed City had new recruit Lydia Williams to thank as the Matildas goalkeeper made several key blocks, including one late remarkable save from Emma Stanbury.

Free-scoring City averaged over three goals a game last season, and it seemed they were on their way again when Lauren Barnes crossed for Tabain to head home on just eight minutes.

But the holders lacked fluency in their opening outing against the well-organised Jets.

Things are looking up for City’s hometown rivals as Natasha Dowie scored a brace for Melbourne Victory, who came from behind on three occasions to share the spoils in a six-goal thriller at Adelaide United.

The England forward, niece of former Premier League striker Iain Dowie, was a constant danger to the United defence and her combination with American midfielder Christine Nairn was a highlight for a side seeking to bounce back from last season’s wooden-spoon showing.

United defender Monica, the first Brazilian to play in the W-League, had given the home side what appeared to be the win with a debut goal midway through the second half.

However, former Matildas midfielder Selin Kuralay made a dramatic entry off the bench with a late equaliser.

AAP