Ola Toivonen scored the 5000th goal in Hyundai A-League history as Melbourne Victory breathed life into the Premiership race with a 2-0 win over Perth Glory on Saturday night.
In front of a record Glory home crowd at HBF Park, Victory silenced the home fans with a goal in each half and a professional performance from the defending champions.
Having lost twice against Glory this season, Victory needed to make a statement and they did just that, which is timely with the Finals Series just over a month away.
While Victory remains in third spot, they are just one point behind second-placed Sydney FC and seven off the league-leaders with four games to play.
And a huge result for Kevin Muscat’s men was capped as Toivonen’s opener on 25 minutes was a landmark goal for the competition.
Standing over a free-kick 25 yards from goal, the Swedish striker curled a belter of a strike up and over the wall, with the ball hitting the post and nestling in the back of the net.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6020706243001
Glory came out firing after the break with Joel Chianese having two great opportunities to equalise, before Diego Castro rattled the crossbar from a free-kick.
WATCH FOR FREE: How to watch the Hyundai A-League LIVE and FREE
DUBLIN TO DOWN UNDER: How Viduka and Kewell set Keogh on path to Perth Glory
REPORT: Williams produces masterclass as Phoenix flex their muscles
Those misses would prove costly midway through the second half.
Glory defender Scott Neville was adjudged to have handled in the area after referee Shaun Evans consulted the VAR.
And Keisuke Honda made no mistake from the spot to seal a huge road win for the defending champions.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6020716114001
