The race for spots in the Hyundai A-League top six continues to heat up following a thrilling round of action across the competition.
Here’s what you may have missed from the split Round 22 over the past fortnight.
THIS WEEKEND’S ACTION
Western Sydney Wanderers 4-1 Wellington Phoenix
Western Sydney Wanderers remain on course for the Finals Series after Brandon Hamill’s second-half brace helped secure a 4-1 home win over Wellington Phoenix on Saturday night.
Hamill broke open a tight encounter at Spotless Stadium by netting twice from corners in the space of 10 second-half minutes before Chris Ikonomidis added further polish late in proceedings.
Brendon Santalab had earlier his seen his opener quickly cancelled out by Sarpreet Singh in the first match of Chris Greenacre’s third stint as interim Phoenix coach.
Perth Glory 3-1 Central Coast Mariners
Joel Chianese scored twice as Perth Glory breathed life into their Finals Series hopes in a 3-1 home win over Central Coast Mariners on Saturday night.
Chianese was on target either side of half-time and Xavi Torres curled in a wicked late free-kick to move the hosts within three points of Adelaide United.
Andrew Hoole had cut the deficit with a stunning strike 20 minutes from time, but Torres’ effort ended any chance of a Mariners comeback as they remain off the pace in ninth.
LAST WEEK’S ACTION
Melbourne City 1-2 Melbourne Victory
Victory defeated City 2-1 thanks to a Leroy George winner after a typically full-throttle Melbourne Derby at AAMI Park.
Billed as “The Decider” after each side had won one derby each this season, this clash didn’t disappoint with both sets of players throwing themselves into the contest.
The win has put Victory within a point of third-placed City on the ladder.
Newcastle Jets 2-1 Sydney FC
A 10-man Newcastle Jets stoically defied their numerical disadvantage to stun Sydney FC in a spellbinding 2-1 win at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Andrew Nabbout’s sensational 30-yard strike sealed Jets’ first victory over the Sky Blues since December 2012 after Bobo had cancelled out Dimitri Petratos’ penalty.
The hosts had lost Roy O’Donovan to a straight red card inside 15 minutes but somehow found the resolve to delight a boisterous crowd of 18,156.
Brisbane Roar 1-0 Adelaide United
Eric Bautheac’s brilliant first-half free-kick boosted Brisbane Roar’s Finals Series hopes in a 1-0 win over Adelaide United at Suncorp Stadium.
The French ace netted the only goal shortly before the break to temporarily lift his side within one point of sixth-placed Western Sydney Wanderers.
Adelaide, who welcomed Johan Absalonsen back from injury for the final 30 minutes, were unable to make their opportunities count as Roar held on for a third home win of the campaign.
