Eight games filled the A-Leagues agenda on Saturday – and it was all action from beginning to end on a day that featured a pair of Melbourne Derbies.
In the Liberty A-League, Wellington Phoenix kicked off the day’s play with a 2-0 win over Newcastle Jets at Sky Stadium, before Canberra United went down 3-0 to Central Coast Mariners at McKellar Park and arch-rivals Melbourne City edged Melbourne Victory 1-0 at AAMI Park. The action continued with Western Sydney Wanderers falling to a 1-0 defeat at home to Adelaide United at Wanderers Football Park.
Over in the Isuzu UTE A-League, Wellington Phoenix overcame Western Sydney Wanderers in a dramatic last-gasp 2-0 victory at Sky Stadium before Sydney FC came from behind to beat Western United 4-2 at Allianz Stadium.
Attention then turned to the day’s showpiece event – the Melbourne Derby – which took centre stage at AAMI Park, with both teams taking a point from the 0-0 draw in front of a sellout crowd.
Perth Glory and Macarthur FC wrapped up the day’s play at HBF Park, with the hosts coming back from two goals down to win 3-2 in a dramatic end to the eight-game extravaganza.
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Wellington Phoenix 2-0 Newcastle Jets (Liberty A-League) – Sky Stadium
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MATCH REPORT: Wellington close in on league leaders after star duo inspire Phoenix to win against Newcastle
Sensational performances from Mariana Speckmaier and Rylee Foster have inspired Wellington Phoenix to a 2-0 victory over Newcastle Jets at Sky Stadium.
Speckmaier slotted a first-half penalty, before turning provider for Hope Breslin minutes later, helping Wellington return to the winner’s list after consecutive games without a victory – including last weekend’s disappointing late collapse to Adelaide United.
Foster – meanwhile – was unbeatable between the sticks, making a number of quality saves throughout the game on Saturday afternoon to preserve the three points. The former Liverpool goalkeeper also played on for the final 20-odd minutes after an injury scare.
Paul Temple’s side remain in third place on the standings, but the win has cut the deficit between the ‘Nix and league leaders Perth Glory to a single point – which could change depending on the result in tonight’s Melbourne Derby between City and Victory.
Meanwhile, Newcastle fall out of the top six as a result of the defeat and both Western and Sydney FC getting results on Friday.
Wellington Phoenix 2-0 Western Sydney Wanderers (Isuzu UTE A-League) – Sky Stadium
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MATCH REPORT: Stoppage-time drama as Isuzu UTE A-League leaders Phoenix stun Wanderers
Two goals in stoppage time has ensured Wellington Phoenix will sit on top of the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder at Christmas after defeating Western Sydney Wanderers 2-0 at Sky Stadium.
In a game which saw the Wanderers create the more dangerous opportunities it was the home side who produced a stunning late show to seal all three points in Wellington.
Kosta Barbarouses continued his impressive recent form, rounding keeper Lawrence Thomas before firing the home side in front in the 91st minute.
With the Wanderers then throwing everything forward in an attempt to find an equaliser, the ‘Nix hit them on the counter with Barbarouses playing Ben Old through on goal before the midfielder fired his shot low across Lawrence Thomas and into the far corner.
Canberra United 0-3 Central Coast Mariners (Liberty A-League) – McKellar Park
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MATCH REPORT: Wurigumula masterclass, headlined by golazo, helps Mariners roll past Canberra
Wurigumula scored a Goal-of-the-Season contender in a memorable performance as Central Coast Mariners took down Canberra United 3-0 in the Liberty A-League.
The China international was the star of the show with two goals for the Mariners, who snapped their three-game winless drought on Saturday.
Wurigumula broke the deadlock with a long-range golazo in the 29th minute before bagging her second 21 minutes from the end at McKellar Park, where 17-year-old substitute Peta Trimis celebrated her maiden A-Leagues goal.
The result left Canberra at the foot of the table as Central Coast climbed to seventh.
Melbourne City 1-0 Melbourne Victory (Liberty A-League) – AAMI Park
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MATCH REPORT: Star attacker fires City top of the standings in first Melbourne Derby of the season
Melbourne City have returned to the top of the Liberty A-League standings after defeating arch rivals Melbourne Victory 1-0 at AAMI Park.
Emina Ekic’s sensational first-half goal was the difference between the two sides in the first Melbourne Derby of the year on Saturday evening, mazing her way through the Victory defence before cooly placing the ball past Lydia Williams.
The win takes City three points clear of Perth Glory atop the ladder heading into Christmas, after Alex Epakis’ side fell to defeat against Western United a day earlier.
Meanwhile, Victory’s six game unbeaten run came to an end, but remain inside the top four, a point clear of Western on the ladder.
Sydney FC 4-2 Western United (Isuzu UTE A-League) – Allianz Stadium
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MATCH REPORT: Sydney return to winning ways in comeback victory over Western United
Sydney FC have broken a two-game losing streak, coming from one goal down to defeat Western United 4-2 at Allianz Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Western struck early through Angus Thurgate but Fabio Gomes and Joe Lolley responded before half-time, with Jack Rodwell putting the home side two goals clear early in the second half.
Substitute Matthew Grimaldi scored his first A-Leagues goal off the bench for Western to make it 3-2 with less than 10 minutes to play – but the visitors were ultimately left to rue a number of big second-half chances as Lolley struck in stoppage time to confirm Sydney’s 4-2 win.
Defeat in Sydney saw Western crash back down to earth after a 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar last weekend; due to a touchline ban, head coach John Aloisi watched on from the stands as his side was dealt a seventh defeat in nine games to start the 2023-24 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
Western Sydney Wanderers 0-1 Adelaide United (Liberty A-League) – Wanderers Football Park
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MATCH REPORT: Outstanding goalkeeping display helps Adelaide snatch impressive win over Wanderers
A brilliant performance from Adelaide goalkeeper Annalee Grove has helped the Reds seal their second win of the Liberty A-League season, defeating Western Sydney Wanderers 1-0 at Wanderers Football Park.
The away side flew out of the blocks and took the lead after just 90 seconds through midfielder Dylan Holmes.
The Wanderers should have been level soon after but Maliah Morris was unable to hit the target from inside the box, steering her effort wide of the far post after latching on to Sophie Harding’s well-timed cut-back.
A superb individual performance from Adelaide keeper Annalee Grove ensured the travelling side kept a clean sheet and secured all three points on the road.
Melbourne City 0-0 Melbourne Victory (Isuzu UTE A-League) – AAMI Park
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MATCH REPORT: Sold-out Melbourne Derby ends all-square after 90th-minute drama
Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory shared the spoils in their sold-out Isuzu UTE A-League Derby following a 0-0 draw on Saturday night.
More than 25,000 fans packed into AAMI Park, where City captain and talisman Jamie Maclaren had a 90th-minute winner disallowed in dramatic circumstances.
Maclaren thought he had won the match as he wheeled away in celebration at the death, however, he was deemed to have committed a foul before finding the back of the net.
Perth Glory 3-2 Macarthur FC (Isuzu UTE A-League) – HBF Park
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MATCH REPORT: Total drama in Perth! Glory come back from the brink to win five-goal thriller
Perth Glory launched an inspired second-half comeback to fight from two goals down and defeat Macarthur FC 3-2 in a dramatic, pulsating win at HBF Park on Saturday night.
The hosts looked beaten at the break after first-half goals to Matt Millar and Valère Germain, but Salim Khelifi’s deflected finish early in the second stanza inspired the comeback fight.
Luke Ivanovic scored his first league goal for Glory to bring the hosts level, providing the launchpad for David Williams to strike a stoppage-time dagger and send the home crowd wild.
