Sydney FC sealed a second straight Hyundai A-League premiership at the start of a high-scoring Round 25.
An average of 3.4 goals were scored across the five games as each team got on the front foot in search of essential points.
Here’s what you may have missed over the weekend.
Perth Glory 2-3 Sydney FC
WATCH THE GOALS INCLUDING BOBO’S RECORD-BREAKER
Sydney FC became the first team in Hyundai A-League history to win back-to-back Premiers Plates, achieving the feat after a 3-2 win over Perth Glory on Thursday night.
On a memorable night for the Sky Blues, a brace to Bobo – who set a single-season goal-scoring record in the process – and another to Adrian Mierzejewski ensured the result they needed at nib Stadium to clinch the silverware.
Bobo’s double takes his season tally to 24, overtaking the record set by Melbourne City’s Bruno Fornaroli (23) two seasons ago.
For Perth, their finals hopes have suffered a serious dent, still one point behind the sixth-placed Western Sydney Wanderers, who have a game in hand.
Adelaide United 3-1 Wellington Phoenix
CHECK OUT BEN GARUCCIO’S SEARING SECOND-HALF STRIKE
Adelaide United have risen to fourth following a comfortable 3-1 win over Wellington Phoenix at Coopers Stadium on Friday night.
Johan Absalonsen’s third goal in three games and a further two in as many minutes from Ben Garuccio and Nathan Konstandopoulos after half-time made it successive home victories for the Reds.
Wellington did pull one back through a Logan Rogerson penalty, but it proved little more than a consolation as Adelaide are now almost assured of a Finals Series spot.
Brisbane Roar 1-0 Central Coast Mariners
SEE HENRIQUE’S GOAL AND ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM SUNCORP
Brisbane Roar piled the pressure on their fellow Finals Series hopefuls with a 1-0 win over Central Coast Mariners at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
Henrique scored his first goal for the club in almost two years to lift Roar two points above seventh-placed Western Sydney Wanderers.
Central Coast went close on a couple of occasions while caretaker coach Wayne O’Sullivan handed a debut to Jordan Smylie, but the visitors lacked the cutting edge to avoid a 10th defeat in their last 12 meetings with Brisbane.
Melbourne Victory 3-1 Western Sydney Wanderers
WATCH ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDING DENG’S STUNNING VOLLEY
Melbourne Victory secured a Finals Series berth with a thrilling 3-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers as both teams finished with 10 men on Saturday night.
Thomas Deng’s sumptuous 51st-minute volley put the seal on a rollercoaster clash at AAMI Park that leaves Wanderers outside the top six.
Michael Thwaite and Kosta Barbarouses were earlier dismissed in a frenzied end to the first half, which finished with Besart Berisha restoring a lead that Alvaro Cejudo wiped out only six minutes earlier.
Cejudo’s classy goal had restored parity following Leroy George’s opener, but Western Sydney lost touch from there and must beat Brisbane Roar next round to return to sixth.
Victory, conversely, are now assured of post-season action.
Newcastle Jets 0-3 Melbourne City
SEE VIDOSIC’S FREE-KICK AND THE FULL HIGHLIGHTS
Melbourne City made a massive statement ahead of the Finals Series with a convincing 3-0 victory over Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.
Dario Vidosic’s second-half brace added to Bruno Fornaroli’s opener as Warren Joyce’s men confidently reclaimed third spot from rivals Melbourne Victory.
Jets, meanwhile, have now lost two straight and conceded eight goals in the process, with their first blank of the season highlighting a concerning slump.
