Macarthur captain Ulises Davila has led the Bulls to a sensational 4-2 fightback win over Perth Glory in the Isuzu UTE A-League clash at Campbelltown Stadium.
The Mexican scored a penalty, won another spot kick for Craig Noone to convert and then set up Al Hassan Toure as the Bulls overcame a two-goal deficit and being a man down to end a three-game winless run.
Toure turned provider for fellow substitute Moudi Najjar in the sixth minute of stoppage time to complete the comeback with Macarthur’s fourth goal.
Giordano Colli’s opener inside the first minute and Trent Ostler’s first ALM goal had put the Glory two goals up inside 20 minutes but Macarthur’s fightback means Perth are without a win in 10 games.
The Bulls’ win, which lifts them to third on the ladder, came despite Charles M’Mombwa being sent off for a second yellow card offence midway through the second half.
Last-placed Glory made a fantastic start when Colli lashed a free-kick from well outside the area into the top corner after just 44 seconds.
It’s the 22-year-old’s first ALM goal in his 13th appearance and eclipses Nikola Mileusnic’s second-minute strike for Brisbane against Adelaide in January as the fastest goal of the season.
Things got even better for the visitors in the 18th minute when Ostler, celebrating his 20th birthday with his first ALM start, fired home from close range to make it 2-0 to the Glory.
Despite the scoreline, Macarthur were dominating the contest but it needed a slice of fortune for them to get on the scoreboard.
Defender Darryl Lachman was caught out when Davila missed a header inside the box, unable to react as the ball struck his arm.
Referee Jonathan Barreiro checked a replay on the pitchside monitor and awarded the penalty which Davila converted to put the Bulls back into the contest.
Macarthur were awarded another penalty when Davila’s shot was blocked by Jonathan Aspropotamitis’s arm 10 minutes into the second half, which Noone converted despite Liam Reddy getting his fingertips to the ball.
Just when the hosts started to feel they could push on for a winner, the game turned again when M’Mombwa was given his second yellow card after encroaching to block another Colli free-kick in the 66th minute.
Encouraged, Perth threw everything at the game with substitutes Callum Timmins and Ciaran Bramwell both missing great opportunities late in the second half.
The Glory were punished for those missed chances in the 82nd minute when Davila’s defence-splitting pass found substitute Toure who fired home to put the Bulls ahead.
The win was sealed in the 96th minute when Toure found Najjar to complete a swift counter-attack and put the icing on the cake for the Bulls.
