And Victory coach Jeff Hopkins says his charges got exactly what they deserved - and could easily have lost by more.
Newly capped Matildas midfielder Leticia McKenna's free kick in the 45th minute proved the difference at AAMI Park.
The midfielder, who scored on her Matildas debut against Malawi last month, whipped a free kick into the near post and Victory goalkeeper Courtney Newbon flapped at it but didn't stop it hitting the back of the net.
"She's a professional goalkeeper, she's got standards. She'll be really disappointed," Hopkins said.
It gives City, hunting their first championship in six years, a crucial one-goal advantage ahead of next Saturday's second leg, with the winner on aggregate to proceed to the grand final.
"It's nice to take the lead," coach Michael Matricciani said.
"... We go out exactly the same - try and dominate, try and impose ourselves, try and create chances to win the game."
After that, City were clearly the better team, with 10 shots to Victory's three.
"We're kind of where we deserve to be," Hopkins said.
"Reasonably happy with where we are considering how we played today."
Hopkins said Victory would treat next Saturday like they had conceded in the opening 30 seconds, then "right, we've got 90 minutes to win the game."
City goalkeeper Malena Mieres was superb, while Victory skipper Kayla Morrison and defensive partner Claudia Bunge kept golden boot winner Holly McNamara goalless.
In the 10th minute, Mieres tipped Rachel Lowe's looping long-range shot onto the bar, then denied Ella O'Grady on the follow-up.
"I didn't see how the ball came off Rachel Lowe. I didn't see it so I just had to react - and it's my job," Mieres said.
In the 51st minute, Furphy pinched the ball off Karly Roestbakken and burst forward and attempted to chip Mieres, who brilliantly closed her down.
McNamara wanted a penalty after going down in a challenge from Bunge before the hour mark, but her pleas were waved away, to City's disgust.
There will be VAR in the grand final but not in the earlier rounds.
"It was pretty clear once you saw it on the big screen. It's from behind. She didn't even get anywhere near the ball," Matricciani said.
"It's a pen if there's VAR in my opinion, but we don't have VAR until the final."
Hopkins said he at first thought it was a "dead-set" penalty but after seeing the replay, was less convinced.
City should regain Danella Butrus from concussion for the second leg.
20°C