Sydney women confront 'coward' robbers

Three robbers who broke into a home in Sydney's inner west got more than they bargained for when the female occupants fought back and kicked one of the men down a staircase.

Neighbours heard breaking glass when the trio of men were confronted inside a Rodd Point residence before 0500 AEDT Wednesday.

Superintendent David Johnson says there was a "violent struggle" which resulted in one of the culprits being pushed or kicked down some stairs.

"These offenders got more than they bargained for and I'm guessing there won't be too many bragging rights (about) this one," he told 2GB radio on Wednesday.

"They were sort of left running with their tail between their legs."

Two of the three women - a mother and two daughters aged between 35 and 60 - suffered non-life threatening injuries.

They were treated at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and discharged later in the morning.

One of the robbers managed to snatch the keys to an Audi A1 hatchback and drive off, police say. However, they left behind a mobile phone, which may help detectives track them down.

Neighbour Foo Xin heard screams after he was woken by the kerfuffle.

"I heard something like glass breaking," he told reporters, describing the women as friendly and neighbourly.

"They help my parents out quite a bit."

Supt Johnson explained other members of the family had already left for work before the home invasion. He praised the women's swift response.

"You can imagine how frightening it would have been for those women to confront the three offenders in their home," he said.

"Their brave actions are quite remarkable - the way they protected the family home and each other from these cowards."