Neil Kilkenny was safe from the spot yet again as Perth Glory made history with their win over Central Coast Mariners in Round 24 of the Hyundai A-League over the weekend.
Newcastle Jets also broke new ground on the weekend, but Melbourne Victory were denied their own potential milestone after a Big Blue loss to rivals Sydney FC.
Let’s look back at all the most interesting facts and figures from the round that was, thanks to Opta data!
WATCH FOR FREE: How to watch the Hyundai A-League LIVE and FREE
HEROIC MOMENTS: Djulbic silences Popovic’s goal-drought jibes
Kilkenny safe from the spot as Glory close in on Premiers’ Plate
They’ve been breaking records all season and Perth Glory made more history with their win over the Mariners in Gosford on Sunday night.
The comfortable 3-0 victory saw Perth beat the Mariners for the fourth straight time, the first time that’s ever happened.
Joel Chianese, Dino Djulbic and another Neil Kilkenny penalty was the difference for the high-flying Perth, who are six points clear at the top with three games to play.
Kilkenny has netted all five of his penalties this season – no player has ever scored more in a Hyundai A-League campaign without missing since Opta started keeping the stat in 2012/13.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6023537940001
Jets complete a treble on their win over the Wanderers
Newcastle Jets’ entertaining 3-2 victory over the Wanderers on Saturday saw them complete a sweep of wins over Western Sydney for the first time in a single season.
Angus Thurgate’s first Hyundai A-League goal helped the Jets extend their unbeaten run against the Wanderers to six games.
Wanderers midfielder Rashid Mahazi also notched his first goal in the competition, heading in the opener in his 87th Hyundai A-League appearance.
Irishman Roy O’Donovan cancelled that out before Vedran Janjetovic’s own goal, and then Thurgate’s late goals saw the Jets make history after Keanu Baccus’ excellent strike had levelled the scores at 2-2.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6023231281001
Victory denied by Sky Blues despite Barbarouses’ milestone
But it wasn’t to be a Big Blue sweep for Melbourne Victory.
Milos Ninkovic’s dramatic late winner helped Sydney FC to a 2-1 win on Saturday, consolidating second place and denying Victory a first-ever sweep of the Sky Blues in a season.
TOTW: Who made the cut for Round 24?
HOW TO WATCH: Every game of Round 25 in the Hyundai A-League
Brandon O’Neill’s stunner had been cancelled out by Kosta Barbarouses, who became just the third player to score 50 goals for Victory in all competitions.
The result ended Victory’s four-match unbeaten run away from home in the league and was just their second loss in 13 in such matches.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6023256101001
Adelaide’s Phoenix dominance continues
Adelaide United usually find a way against the Wellington Phoenix.
Apostolos Stamatelopoulos’ brace guided Adelaide to a 3-1 win on Sunday, extending their unbeaten run against the Phoenix to 11 league matches.
Michael Marrone opened the scoring before Stamatelopoulos was later sent off.
However, Cillian Sheridan denied the Reds a seventh clean sheet in the past 11 league meetings between the clubs.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6023522569001
Roar’s road woes roll on against City
Brisbane Roar’s struggles away from home continued with a 4-1 loss to Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Friday.
Roar have won just one of their last 15 Hyundai A-League away games, a run which has included 11 losses.
Warren Joyce has enjoyed facing Brisbane, the City coach winning five of seven league meetings with Roar since taking the reins.
Goals from Rostyn Griffiths, Shayon Harrison, Ritchie de Laet and Riley McGree saw City extend their unbeaten run at home to 10 league games, while Brisbane have failed to beat them in their past 13 matches in Melbourne.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6022833030001
