Bidvest Wits recorded their seventh win of the season in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) when they defeated 10-man Cape Town City 2-0 in Soweto on Friday night.
The in-form Gift Motupa spearheaded Wits' attack as Gavin Hunt's side looked to return to winning ways in the league after drawing with Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday.
On the other hand, Jan Olde Riekerink named experienced striker Siphelele Mthembu in the starting line-up as City looked to snap their four-match winless run in the league.
The visitors started the match brightly, keeping possession well in Wits' half, but they could not seriously test Ricardo Goss in the hosts' goal.
Shane Roberts and Thabo Nodada both saw their long-range shots miss the target without troubling former Lamontville Golden Arrows goalkeeper Goss.
The Clever Boys grew into the match and began creating chances with the Citizens' defence working hard to contain Motupa and Tendai Dzvukamanja.
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However, Wits did break the deadlock when Zimbabwean attacker Dzvukamanja hit the back of the net with a first-time shot in the 27th minute to make it 1-0 to the hosts.
Things went from bad to worse for the Citizens when they were reduced to 10 players after Ebrahim Seedat received his second yellow card and he was sent off.
City managed to contain the home side until the match referee blew the half-time whistle and Wits were leading 1-0 at the interval.
The former PSL champions continued to attack after the restart as they looked to double their lead against City's 10 men.
Wits' pressure paid off when Thulani Hlatshwayo scored his third league goal of the season with a header to make it 2-0 to the hosts 11 minutes into the second half.
Former Orlando Pirates winger Mark Mayambela was introduced by Riekerink with the Citizens looking to grab at least two goals to ensure that the match ended in a draw.
However, the 2016 Telkom Knockout Cup winners were unlucky on the night as Roberts beat Goss with a well-taken shot, but the crossbar came to Wits' rescue.
Ultimately, the match ended in a 2-0 victory in favour of Wits after they stood firm at the back in the latter stages of the match.
Despite the victory, Wits remained fourth on the league standings, but they are now 11 points behind the leaders, Kaizer Chiefs and the former have two games in hand.
On the other hand, City also remained 13th on the league table - level on points with AmaZulu FC, who are in the relegation play-off spot, 15th place.
