Sunday afternoon's game at Casey Fields between leaders City and third-placed Adelaide was clearly the game of the round.
Resurgent Matildas striker Holly McNamara was the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick - though she could have the first of her three goals awarded to teammate Lourdes Bosch.
City (43 points, 19 games played) lead Melbourne Victory (38 points, 18 games) and Adelaide (36 points, 19 games) at the pointy end of the season.
They are chasing three trophies - the premiership, championship and Women's Asian Champions League.
City had an opportunity to freshen up after last weekend's game against Brisbane Roar was postponed and scored early.
Tyla-Jay Vlajnic's free kick proved too hot too handle for Claudia Jenkins and McNamara was on hand to bundle home - though Bosch could potentially have got the final touch.
City doubled their lead in the 27th minute when Bosch went on a brilliant run down the right then slipped the ball to McNamara, with the outside of her boot, and the striker slid in to score.
The Reds hit back six minutes later when City failed to clear their lines and Ella Tonkin bundled home.
An own goal by Adelaide's Lucia Leon, an attempted clearing header from a corner, made it 3-1 in the 31st minute.
In the 53rd, Erin Healy lashed home from the edge of the area to draw Adelaide within a goal.
McNamara drove the ball into the bottom corner to restore a two-goal buffer and complete her hat-trick in the 64th minute.
Zoe Tolland headed home in the 73rd to make for a nervous finish but City held on.
Brisbane host Newcastle in Sunday's late match at Perry Park.
