What happened in the Hyundai A-League this weekend? No drama, it’s all here in one place.
Sydney FC 4-0 Wellington Phoenix
Sydney FC swept aside a defensively chaotic Wellington Phoenix winning 4-0 on Friday night with two goals in each half.
At Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, there was to be no milestone fairytale for Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante, who broke the record of most appearances in his 279th A-League game.
Newcastle Jets 2-0 Melbourne Victory
A dogged Newcastle Jets defeated Melbourne Victory 2-0 with skipper Nigel Boogaard and Riley McGree on target, but it was Jets keeper Jack Duncan who stole the show with a superb display on Saturday.
In more good news for the Jets, Roy O’Donovan made his return to the side after an injury layoff though he looked a little rusty.
For Victory, their loss was compounded by an injury to keeper Lawrence Thomas, who was stretchered off in the second half at McDonald Jones stadium with a neck injury. He was taken to hospital after the game.
Adelaide United 2-1 Perth Glory
Adelaide United cemented their position in the top four with an entertaining 2-1 comeback victory over Perth Glory at Coopers on Saturday night.
On a surface looking worse for wear after a Foo Fighters gig, the goals flowed early with all three inside the first 40 minutes.
The Reds are now on 28 points as they leapfrog Melbourne Victory (who lost in Newcastle) into fourth spot on the Hyundai A-League ladder.
Central Coast Mariners 1-2 Western Sydney Wanderers
Western Sydney Wanderers reignited their finals push with a crucial 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners on Sunday.
It was a game of two halves.
Wanderers dominating the first 45 minutes and taking a 2-0 lead into the break courtesy of Jaushua Sotirio and Oriol Riera, before the Mariners stormed back into the contest as the visitors faded.
Peter Skapetis, a new signing for Central Coast, came off the bench to score for the hosts.
What a way to introduce yourself. @peterskapetis' first touch at @CCStadium was a goal. It took him a minute…
📹 @FOXFOOTBALL#CCMvWSW #ALeague pic.twitter.com/V8KqU4cpqy
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) February 4, 2018
Brisbane Roar 1-2 Melbourne City
Melbourne City defeated Brisbane Roar 2-1 at Suncorp Stadium in a hugely entertaining encounter to conclude Round 19 in the Hyundai A-League.
Roar missed a golden chance to draw level after the Italian striker Massimo Maccarone fluffed his penalty in the final 20 minutes.
Roar scored the opening goal courtesy of Maccarone, but Marcin Budzinski with the equaliser and Stefan Mauk with a super winner for City.