Rhianna Pollicina has bagged a brace to help Melbourne City claim a 2-1 win over Canberra United and maintain their perfect start to the A-League Women season.

Pollicina scored a classy volley in the 26th minute and then added a second from the spot in the 47th at AAMI Park on Saturday afternoon.

United were able to hit back when Michelle Heyman capitalised on a catastrophic mix-up between City goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx and captain Rebekah Stott in the 63rd minute.

Canberra were largely outclassed but City, who had 22 shots (11 on target) to Canberra’s seven shots (two on target), largely failed to make their chances count.

The home side took the lead when Daniela Galic lofted a deflected cross over the United defence and Pollicina swung at the ball, struck it first-time with her shin and watched it bounce into the goal.

Just before halftime, McNamara picked out Wilkinson but her header was denied by a strong save from Chloe Lincoln and Galic hit a follow-up shot into the near post.

Two minutes into the second half, McNamara earned a penalty when she burst past Sasha Grove and was clipped by the onrushing Alex McKenzie.

Pollicina coolly dispatched the ball past Lincoln to double City’s lead.

Canberra hit back when Vesna Milivojevic hacked the ball towards Heyman and Proux failed to come off her line early enough to impact the aerial duel.

Heyman headed over Proulx and centre-back Stott into an unguarded net for her 96th league goal.

Shortly after, a lovely build-up from Galic ended with Pollicina smacking another shot off the crossbar.

McNamara picked out Kaitlyn Torpey with a wonderful through ball late, but the full-back was blocked by Lincoln.

Milivojevic made for a nervous finish when she tried her luck from range in added time, but her deflected shot was comfortably claimed by Proulx.

By Anna Harrington in Melbourne