Sydney FC, Perth Glory and Melbourne City showed just how to make the most of a numerical advantage.
There were four red cards during Round 11 of the Hyundai A-League, the second most in a single round since Opta started keeping the data in 2012-13.
Only in Round 8 last season were there more sending offs (six) in a round.
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And the Sky Blues, Glory and City took advantage, coming from behind to win, while Adelaide United were unable to make the most of the Wellington Phoenix being reduced to 10 men.
We take a look at that and more thanks to Opta data.
Perth posts come-from-behind win in Brisbane
For just the fourth time in their past 21 visits to Suncorp Stadium, Perth Glory beat Brisbane Roar, claiming a 4-2 win.
Adam Taggart’s brace put Brisbane on track, but a red card to Daniel Bowles in the 57th minute turned the game.
Neil Kilkenny scored a penalty double – his first ever Hyundai A-League brace – before an Aaron Reardon own goal and Andy Keogh strike saw Perth claim three points.
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Perth had conceded just one first-half goal in their previous six away fixtures, but Taggart struck twice for Brisbane – only for the red card to lead to the Roar’s undoing – before the forward missed a late penalty.
Glory moved Brisbane around to make the most of their numerical advantage. Up until Bowles’ red, they had attacked predominantly down the left (40.4%), but that changed after the sending off (32.6), with more attacks directed through the centre (30.0 to 24.3%) and down the right (37.4 to 35.3).
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5986458430001
Brilliant Brosque scores first A-League hat-trick
Even at 35, Alex Brosque is setting new standards.
The Sydney FC forward scored his first Hyundai A-League hat-trick during a 5-2 win over the Central Coast Mariners.
Connor Pain had given the Mariners a surprise lead, but their winless run was extended to 17 games after Kalifa Cisse’s first-half red card left them on the back foot.
Adam le Fondre scored another penalty and Aaron Calver netted his first Hyundai A-League goal, while Aiden O’Neill was also on the scoresheet for the Mariners.
Michael Zullo was a constant threat for Sydney FC, becoming the first Sky Blues player to create at least six chances in a game this season.
Sydney attacked the Mariners down the left far more often in the second half, with 36.9% of their approaches coming down Zullo’s side, as opposed to 29.1 in the opening 45 minutes.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5985907156001
Jets’ City, AAMI Park troubles roll on
The Newcastle Jets are now winless in their past eight games at AAMI Park after a 2-1 loss to Melbourne City.
After Roy O’Donovan’s early opener, the Jets were reduced to 10 men when Ronald Vargas saw red in the 25th minute, with Riley McGree converting a penalty.
REPORT: McGree, Brattan on target as City outlast gutsy 10-man Jets
Luke Brattan’s fine first-half strike proved decisive as City improved their already impressive recent record against Newcastle, having lost just one of the past seven meetings between the clubs.
Newcastle will get another chance to end their AAMI Park struggles when they face Melbourne Victory on Saturday.
The Jets will be buoyed by the way they performed with 10 men, surprisingly enjoying more time in the attacking third in the second half (23.2%) than the first (17.7).
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5986440270001
Rare Adelaide point a boost for Phoenix
Wellington Phoenix have rarely enjoyed playing at Coopers Stadium, but they managed a 0-0 draw against Adelaide United on Saturday.
The Phoenix had lost 13 of their previous 18 trips to the ground, yet closed out a draw despite a second-half red card to Mandi.
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Adelaide pushed as Craig Goodwin and Ryan Strain each created seven chances (the most this season is nine) but the Reds were unable to find a breakthrough.
However, the draw was enough to extend Adelaide’s unbeaten run against Wellington to 10 matches.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5986234078001
Toivonen sets mark as Victory continue Wanderers dominance
There’s been no stopping Ola Toivonen so far this season.
The Swedish striker scored a brace in Melbourne Victory’s 2-1 win over the Western Sydney Wanderers, maintaining his record of having netted or assisted in each of his eight Hyundai A-League games.
He also became the first player to score in five consecutive league games for Victory.
READ: Toivonen magic helps Victory topple Wanderers
ANALYSIS: Victory’s bookends inspire win over gallant Wanderers
Alexander Baumjohann had briefly put the Wanderers level with a penalty, and the star playmaker created an equal season-high nine chances.
However, Western Sydney have now won just one of their past 16 meetings with Victory and have lost four straight games at ANZ Stadium.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5986274339001
Roar avoid record run as Petratos shines again for Jets
Brisbane Roar did enough to avoid suffering an outright record sixth straight loss, twice coming from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw against the Newcastle Jets.
Dimitri Petratos opened the scoring for the Jets as he continued his impressive form.
The attacker became just the fifth player to create at least nine chances in a Hyundai A-League game since Opta started keeping the stat in 2012-13, joining team-mate Vargas as the second to do so this season.
Taggart’s equaliser made him the outright top goalscorer at McDonald Jones Stadium with 18, before O’Donovan restored the Jets’ lead.
But Eric Bautheac headed in his first Hyundai A-League goal of the season to see Brisbane end a five-match losing streak.
