Western Sydney Wanderers’ three-year wait for Sydney Derby success was worth every second in a memorable upset in Round 20 of last season.
Unbeaten in their first 19 matches of a record-breaking Hyundai A-League campaign, Sydney FC were strong favourites to continue their derby dominance back in February of this year.
The would-be champions had blown away their rivals 4-0 in the opening round and were running away with the premiership.
But a Wanderers side still battling for a Finals Series spot exacted sweet revenge at ANZ Stadium.
Brendon Santalab set the shock in motion by opening the scoring in the 26th minute, deftly collecting Mitch Nichols’ cross and swivelling smartly to beat Danny Vukovic through his legs.
Vedran Janjetovic and Danny Vukovic both made a series of excellent saves to keep the tension alive until the dying stages, when the Sky Blues’ appeals for a penalty were waved away.
Western Sydney subsequently held on to inflict their bitter rivals’ only defeat of an otherwise exceptional run to the title.
And after a 2-2 draw earlier this term, Graham Arnold will no doubt demand his side restore their hold over Wanderers when the two teams meet again this Saturday night.
Re-live the drama from last season’s entertaining encounter in the video above.
