Central Coast Mariners and Brisbane Roar put on the match of the round and produced something previously unseen in the Hyundai A-League.
Brisbane’s 5-3 victory marked the first time a game in the competition’s history had finished by that scoreline.
But a look through the history books will show that these two clubs are no strangers to goal-filled games.
We survey the damage from Friday night’s eight-goal thriller and more from Round 20 thanks to Opta!
WATCH FOR FREE: How to watch the Hyundai A-League LIVE and FREE
TEAM OF THE WEEK: Who made the cut for Round 20
TALKING POINTS: Victory’s belief may strengthen despite derby impasse
HEROIC MOMENTS: Wanderers veteran overshadows Popovic’s return to Western Sydney
Lopez invokes La Liga days in Roar’s goal-fest
The Mariners and Roar put on an absolute classic in Gosford.
For the ninth time since Opta started keeping the stat in 2012/13, there were at least eight goals scored in a Hyundai A-League game as Roar claimed a 5-3 win.
Incredibly, either Roar or the Mariners have been involved in seven of those encounters, and the victory means Brisbane are now unbeaten in 15 league matches against Central Coast.
REPORT: Five-star Roar beat Mariners in Hyundai A-League thriller
Alex Lopez scored a brace for the Roar, marking the first time he has netted twice in a game since October 2013, when he helped Celta Vigo beat Malaga in LaLiga.
Eric Bautheac struck a spectacular goal, Tobias Mikkelsen and Dylan Wenzel-Halls also scored for Brisbane, while Connor Pain, Aiden O’Neill and Jordan Murray netted for a Mariners side that finished with nine men.
There were five goals scored between the 31st minute and half-time, which is as many as the other eight clubs managed in the other four games in the round.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6005670534001
Maclaren makes history but City held by 10-man Victory
Maclaren set a Melbourne City benchmark, but they were held to a 1-1 draw by Melbourne Victory in the derby.
Maclaren’s first-half penalty saw him become the first player in the club’s history to score in each of his first three games.
REPORT: Derby ends all square as 10-man Victory hold City
Georg Niedermeier’s red card put Victory on the back foot, but they salvaged a point through Kosta Barbarouses. The New Zealander’s goal was his eighth against City, the equal most he has scored against any club.
It was Victory’s only shot of the encounter. Since 2007/08, it is the first time the club have had just a single shot in a game.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6006058605001
Sky Blues continue Phoenix dominance
Sydney FC enjoy playing the Wellington Phoenix.
Adam Le Fondre’s 65th-minute penalty saw the Sky Blues record a seventh win in their past nine meetings with Wellington thanks to a 1-0 success.
REPORT: Sydney FC edge Wellington thanks to Le Fondre penalty
Alex Brosque won the spot-kick for Sydney, earning a penalty in the Hyundai A-League for the fifth time since 2012/13. Only Andy Keogh (eight), Roy Krishna, Bruce Kamau and Chris Harold (six) have won more.
It continued Wellington’s run of not having stopped a penalty yet this season.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6006025363001
Streaks stretched in Wanderers-Glory draw
Tarek Elrich’s dramatic late equaliser – his second goal in three games – helped the Western Sydney Wanderers salvage a 1-1 draw with Perth Glory.
Chris Ikonomidis’ eighth goal of the season had put Perth on track as they extended their unbeaten run to 11 games.
REPORT: Elrich’s injury-time stunner as Wanderers hold Glory
But the leveller ensured the Wanderers extended their unbeaten streak at home to Perth to six games.
League leaders Perth, who are eight points clear at the top, have suffered just one defeat in their past nine Hyundai A-League games against the Wanderers.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6006271366001
Jets, Reds can’t deliver usual goals
There was no separating the Newcastle Jets and Adelaide United at McDonald Jones Stadium.
After 12 goals were scored in the previous three games between the clubs – the Reds undefeated in each – they played out a 0-0 draw.
REPORT: Goalless in Newcastle as Jets and Reds finish all square
Jets attacker Dimitri Petratos and Adelaide star Craig Goodwin went into the round as the two players who had created the most chances this season.
While Petratos created two more, Goodwin was unable to do so despite putting in 14 crosses.
