Western graduate Ellie Carpenter helps Matildas end 2017 on a high

The talented defender has become a regular in the starting line-up for the Australian women’s side this season and enjoyed a remarkable run of success with them.

Sunday’s win, which came in front of 6,338 fans, was the seventh in succession for the Matildas who are now ranked in the world’s top five.

Carpenter set up one of the Matilda’s three first-half goals, her quick throw-in releasing Caitlin Foord down the right. Her subsequent cross struck Chinese defender Li Danyang and deflected into the net.

Carpenter also created her own chances, the first coming in the 12^th minute when she was denied by a desperate sliding tackle.

Then in the 79^th minute from the top of the area she fired in an attempt which only just travelled over the crossbar. She also sent in a number of probing crosses.

Matildas coach Alen Stajcic was pleased with the scoreline, but said it reflected a superiority that his team did not show for the whole game.

“I don't think it was our best performance, I think the scoreboard was a little bit flattering. It shows our potency in attack and counter attack and set pieces, but I thought it was a little bit disjointed, there were certainly too many turnovers in the back half for my liking,” he said.

“I don't think the fluency was as good compared to Wednesday night. We set a rhythm of turning the ball over. Finally, when we got on top, the thunderstorm came in [during the first half] and created issues … we had to restart from scratch.”