There were 18 goals scored across a thrilling round 24 of the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 season.
Eight sides remain in contention to play finals football with Sydney FC moving to the verge of becoming the first side to win successive Premierships.
Here’s a wrap of what you may have missed over the weekend.
FIVE-STAR ADELAIDE GROUND JETS
In one of their most impressive performances of the season, Adelaide United consolidated their place in the top six with a 5-2 thumping of high-flying Newcastle.
A first-half brace from German midfielder Daniel Adlung set the scene, before Ben Kantarovski pulled one back for the visitors.
But three goals in 11 minutes, including a wonderful volley from Johan Absalonsen saw Marco Kurz’s side break a four-game winless streak in emphatic fashion.
SIMON RETURNS TO HAUNT MARINERS
They sung his name for eight seasons in Gosford, but iconic old-boy Matt Simon chomped the hand that used to feed him on Saturday, putting Sydney FC within touching distance of back-to-back Premiers Plates.
Milos Ninkovic opened the scoring for the Sky Blues after half an hour but Jake McGing’s third goal of the season looked to have earned the Mariners a point in their first game since Paul Okon’s departure.
But with the contest well into added time, Simon stooped at the far post to head home Paulo Retre’s cross, meaning Sydney FC need just two points from their last three games to ensure they’ll top the table for the second successive season.
FT | A late Matt Simon goals earns the Sky Blues the three points as we scrap for the win on the Central Coast! #SydneyIsSkyBlue #CCMvSYD pic.twitter.com/nbgXGFfS0I
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) March 24, 2018
BRUNO TO THE FORE
Melbourne City had gone four games without a win, but they put that winless streak behind them in emphatic fashion on Saturday night at AAMI Park.
Against a resurgent Western Sydney who had lost just one of their last six, Bruno Fornaroli was a standout as City won 3-0 to move to third place on the Hyundai A-League ladder.
City’s skipper scored the first from close range before a lovely back-heel set Stefan Mauk up for his side’s third; that after Michael Jakobsen had scored his first City goal with a powerful header on the hour mark.
THRILLING SECOND HALF SEES HONOURS EVEN IN WELLINGTON
A second-half goal-blitz has seen the Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar draw 2-2 in New Zealand’s capital.
After a goal-less first half, the two sides shared four goals in the space of just 18 minutes.
Brett Holman opened the scoring with an eye-catching volley before Andrija Kaludjerovic broke a ten-game goalscoring drought and teenager Logan Rogerson headed Wellington in front.
But Danish midfielder Thomas Kristensen bundled home Brisbane’s equaliser to keep alive their hunt for an eighth straight finals appearance.
50' | GOOOAAALLL!! A beautiful volley from Brett Holman gives us the lead early in the second half! 0-1 #WELvBRI pic.twitter.com/DZPEOcakRa
— Brisbane Roar (@brisbaneroar) March 25, 2018
PERTH KEEP THE PRESSURE ON
Perth Glory moved to within a point of the playoff spots with a priceless 1-0 home win over Melbourne Victory at nib Stadium.
The win was Glory’s third in four games and came courtesy of Andy Keogh’s precise header just before half-time.
The defeat broke a three-game winning streak for Kevin Muscat’s men, who also suffered the added ignominy of dropping to fourth place on the Hyundai A-League ladder, behind cross-town rivals Melbourne City.
