Lachy Wales struck first: unmarked from a throw in, the speedster lofted a composed finish over Vedran Janjetovic, who was beaten again moments later by a drilled Ritchie De Laet finish. 

"On the first half chances we created a lot, moved the ball side to side, penetrated through the lines," Wales said.

"That's what you've got to do as a football club, we go onto next week.

Western Sydney, who sit just three points above Brisbane Roar in eighth, began to play with more of the desperation their league position requires and they were given a lifeline when Rostyn Griffiths was sent off with 30 minutes to go. 

But despite Markus Babbel's side pushing forward with poise, Man of the Match Eugene Galekovic put on a stellar display, exhibiting exceptional reaction skills and even saving a late Oriol Riera penalty to keep the scoreline 2-0. 

"'Euges' is special for an old guy," Wales said. "He's a bit of a man-mountain for us. I miss my family down in Melbourne but I'm working really hard here."

"We're lacking in front of goal and at the other end we cop it too easy," Tarek Elrich said.

"We've just got to pick ourselves up, there's no use groaning. That's been the story of our season, switching off for five minutes in key moments, today was no different.

"Eugene is a very good keeper, credit to him. We made it a little bit easy for him but we know we've got to do better."

City's defence also stayed strong and Harrison Delbridge - who now leads the league in clearances - is quickly becoming one of the more promising Australian defenders in the competition.

It's a shame that he came through the US college system. Now 26-years-old, he's far more limited in his potential growth than he might have been, had he came through the A-League from an early age.

Of course, notwithstanding the lack of opportunities in our own back yard.