Matildas veteran Lisa De Vanna has played a starring role in Melbourne Victory’s stunning 6-0 W-League derby win over crosstown rivals Melbourne City.
The 36-year-old set up one goal, had a hand in another and scored a sensational solo effort as Victory demolished the W-League champions at CB Smith Reserve in Fawkner on Sunday.
The thrashing is the first time City have conceded six goals in the W-League and is easily the heaviest defeat in the club’s history, eclipsing a 4-1 loss to Perth in 2017.
Playing in 30-plus temperatures, De Vanna was at the heart of everything for Victory as they posted their first win of the 2021 campaign.
The striker set up Annalie Longo’s opener in the 16th minute before having a hand in the build-up to Melina Ayres’ goal later in the half.
De Vanna did it all herself for the third, turning Jenna McCormick inside her own half before sprinting past Tori Tumeth and then slotting a left-foot shot past City goalkeeper Teagan Micah.
A late flurry turned the defeat from worrying to embarrassing for City as Amy Jackson, Catherine Zimmerman and Kyra Cooney-Cross all found the back of the net in the final 10 minutes.
The resounding win in Jeff Hopkins’ 100th W-League game as a coach lifts Victory to third on the ladder.
City, undefeated last season on their way to a premiership-championship double, have one point from three games and appear to have a long season ahead.
Canberra still top the ladder by a point from Sydney FC after their 1-1 draw against Brisbane in Redcliffe on Thursday, with Grace Maher scoring a wonder goal from the centre circle to keep her team’s unbeaten start to the season going.
Sydney kept their perfect start to the season going with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Newcastle on Friday, with youngster Rachel Lowe scoring an impressive second-half winner for the Sky Blues.
Adelaide also posted their first win of the season on Saturday, with a late penalty giving them a 1-0 win over Perth.
The Glory will get a chance for immediate revenge when they host the Reds on Thursday at Dorrien Gardens.
Next weekend’s matches feature a derby between Sydney FC and Western Sydney with Newcastle hosting Canberra.
Victory will also be eager to inflict more pain on City when the two teams face off for the second weekend running next Sunday.
