Sydney FC have bounced back from their first loss of the season to account for a 10-man Melbourne City 3-1 at AAMI Park on Friday night.
A brace from marquee Bobo and a classy free kick from Brandon O’Neill cancelled out Nick Fitzgerald’s first-half stunner as Graham Arnold’s side extended their lead at the top to 11 points.Â
After a cagey start, Sydney FC took the lead against the run of play midway through the first half with Bobo converting from the penalty spot after a clumsy foul from Manny Muscat.Â
But the lead lasted less than 60 seconds with City hitting back immediately from the restart with  winger Nick Fitzgerald netting a stunning half-volley to restore parity.Â
The complexion of the game changed just prior to the break with City defender Manny Muscat shown his second yellow card for a poor challenge on Alex Brosque.Â
And Sydney FC took full advantage after the break with Brandon O’Neill firing the visitors ahead with a well-taken free-kick before Bobo finished off a piece of brilliance from Milos Ninkovic.
City threw numbers forward as the second half progressed but struggled to break down a well-organised Sydney defence, with Fernando Brandan going closest with a snapshot in the final 10 minutes.Â
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GOALS
0-1 Sydney FC: Bobo (pen), 24’
The Sky Blues were awarded a penalty after Manny Muscat brought down Filip Holosko who was through on goal, with the defender lucky to only be shown a yellow card. Bobo stepped up and coolly slotted the spot kick into the bottom corner, sending Thomas Sorensen the wrong way.
1-1 Melbourne City: Nick Fitzgerald, 25′
City pumped the ball long immediately after conceding with the ball falling kindly to Fitzgerald, with the winger wriggling free of his defender before unleashing a stunning half-volley from the edge of the area which whistled into the top corner.
1-2 Sydney FC: Brandon O’Neill, 55′
City substitute Ruon Tongyik was penalised for a handball on the edge of the area and it proved costly with Brandon O’Neill exquisitely curling a sublime free kick into the top left corner.
1-3 Sydney FC: Bobo, 67′
Milos Ninkovic was afforded too much space on the edge of the box with the Serbian playing a splitting ball through the heart of the City defence, allowing Bobo to fire home from close range.
RED CARD
Melbourne City were reduced to 10 men late in the first half after Manny Muscat inexplicably collected his second yellow card. After being booked for a poor challenge on Filip Holosko earlier in the half, Muscat was shown his marching orders after pulling down Sydney FC skipper Alex Brosque in the attacking third.
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