A brace from Roland Putsche and Gift Link helped Cape Town City secure a comfortable 5-0 victory over Free State Stars at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday evening, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

Benni McCarthy’s side came into this encounter after securing a point at Cape Town Stadium following their 2-2 draw against Baroka last week.

Meanwhile, Ea Lla Koto came into this clash suffering their first defeat under new coach Nikola Kavazovic after playing to a 2-1 loss at the Harry Gwala Stadium over the weekend.

The home side showed their intent early on while Ea Lla Koto were still trying to find their rhythm in the opening exchanges of the match.

City nearly broke the deadlock after 11 minutes, but Roland Putsche fired his effort wide of the target.

Craig Martin should have put his name on the scoresheet in the 35th minute, but the City winger failed to direct his header on target after latching on to a cross from Gift Links.

The Citizens then took the lead a minute later when Putsche made no mistake to head the ball home from close range, 1-0.

City had to endure a nervy final few minutes of the first half as Ea Lla Koto came knocking with two consecutive attempts on goal in stoppage time, but City keeper Peter Leeuwenburgh was up for the challenge.

The home side managed to hold on to their 1-0 lead over Stars as the game went into the half-time interval.

Benni McCarthy’s side doubled their early in the second half when Martin was brought down in the box. Putsche stepped up and made no mistake from the spot-kick.

Siphelele Mthembu should have extended the hosts’ lead moments later, but the striker steered his header wide of the target after latching on to a well-placed cross from Mlhize.

Stars were then reduced to 10 men when Sibusiso Hluni was shown a straight red card for his challenge on Mhkize.

The home side did eventually extend their lead in the 62nd minute when Links blasted the roof of the net after putting the ball past Sangare on the rebound.

City began to dominate proceedings after 66 minutes of play, and nearly found the net for the fourth time in the game, but Mthembu fired his volley straight into the hands of Stars keeper Ali Sangare.

McCarthy’s side then made it 4-0 when Mthembu unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the area to find the back of the net.

They were further rewarded in stoppage time when Martin set up Links to round off the scoring for the home side.

City also finished the game with 10 men when Taariq Fielies was sent off for a foul on Sinethemba Jantjie, who was making his way through on goal.

However, City held on to their five-goal lead over stars until the final whistle to claim maximum points at Cape Town Stadium.