Auckland have handed Western Sydney Wanderers their first home loss of the 2025/26 campaign with a 2-0 win at Commbank Arena.
Sam Cosgrove and Lachy Brook struck the decisive blows in the 57th and 74th minutes respectively, and they probably should have had a third in the last minute of regulation time when Guillermo May pulled his effort agonisingly wide of the right hand post.
Both goals led to muted celebrations – Cosgrove’s because there may be some conjecture as to whether it’s his at after appearing to deflect off the heel of Jesse Randall, and Brook’s because he was facing his old club.
The Wanderers had dominated the early despatches, with Auckland uncharacteristically not recording a shot on target until three minutes before half time.
Western Sydney couldn’t make their ascendancy count on the scoresheet, however, despite the best efforts of Bozhidar Kraev and Kosta Barbarouses.
Kraev rattled the woodwork in the 7th minute after Barbarouses had stung the palms of Auckland keeper Michael Woud, but it remained the Wanderers’ closest sight of goal for the evening.
Brandon Borrello’s link up play with Barbarouses was also a positive for the Wanderers, who have now gone three games without scoring a goal.
Belgian star Louis Verstraete was among Auckland’s best players outside the goal scorers, with his class and industry crucial in the Black Knights regaining then maintaining ascendancy in general play.
Woud was also outstanding for Auckland, making six saves to keep his sheets clean and propel the Black Knights back to the top of the Isuzu UTE A-League table.
Auckland now look forward to a top of the table clash with Sydney FC next Saturday evening, while the Wanderers have the chance to kickstart their spluttering season away to Adelaide United on the same night.
ALEX TOBIN MEDAL VOTES:
3. Louis Verstraete
2. Dan Hall
1. Lachy Brook
