Parramatta beat Canterbury 32-16 at CommBank Stadium on Sunday in their best game of the season.
In the earlier match, the Sydney Roosters came back from behind to beat the Newcastle Knights 38-24 at Allianz Stadium. Both games closed out Round 7 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
The Eels had let in 122 points in three straight losses at home but they turned things around against a Bulldogs side that had beaten them in their last three meetings.
Canterbury started the stronger team, with Jacob Kiraz scoring from a backline move in the 11th minute to put the first points on the board.
The Eels hit back through Josh Addo-Carr, who got free down the left side to score. Then five-eighth Ronald Volkman stepped past several defenders to cross in the 29th minute.
Fullback Joash Papalii added another try before halftime, chasing a Brian Kelly grubber kick to make it 18-4 at the break.
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Canterbury showed some fight early in the second half when Lachlan Galvin pushed his way over the line to cut it to 18-10. But the Bulldogs lost winger Kiraz to a knee injury shortly after play resumed.
Dylan Walker and Tallyn Da Silva both scored in the final 20 minutes as the Eels ran away with the game. It was a big win for Parramatta, who went into the match as clear underdogs.
In the earlier game, the Roosters were in real trouble at halftime. Knights centre Fletcher Hunt scored three tries in the first half to help Newcastle take a strong 24-12 lead.
The visitors played well in the opening 40 minutes, breaking through weak defence in the middle of the field.
Whatever coach Trent Robinson told his players at the break worked. The Roosters did not let the Knights score in the second half and put on 26 straight points to win the game.
Sam Walker started the comeback right after halftime, picking up the ball after the Knights failed to catch a kick. Hugo Savala and James Tedesco scored next, and winger Mark Nawaqanitawase crossed twice late in the match to finish it off.
Tedesco was the best player on the field, running for 270m with three line breaks, three try assists and a try of his own. The veteran fullback and captain almost carried his team back into the game on his own.
Both the Roosters and Eels go into Round 8 with a lift while the Knights and Bulldogs will need to bounce back fast after tough losses.
