Melbourne Victory may have been without Keisuke Honda, but there was still no stopping Ola Toivonen.
Toivonen, 32, continued his run of having scored or assisted in every Hyundai A-League game he has played thanks to a derby goal.
Victory return to action on Friday when they host a Wellington Phoenix side who have one of the league’s form players.
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Meanwhile, trips to Perth appear to hold no fear for Sydney FC, who conquered the west once more.
We take a look at that and more thanks to Opta Data.
Victory reach milestone but denied in Christmas thriller
A Honda-less Victory became the first team to 600 Hyundai A-League goals, but they were denied by Melbourne City in the derby.
Toivonen’s goal was Victory’s 600th in the league and continued the Swede’s impressive start to life in Australia.
REPORT: City deny Victory at the death in dramatic Melbourne Derby
Toivonen has contributed a goal or an assist in each of his six Hyundai A-League games, scoring four and setting up two.
But Dario Vidosic’s 92nd-minute header ensured City avoided a fourth straight derby loss at AAMI Park, and halted Victory’s six-game winning streak.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5982798131001
Sky Blues continue Perth run
Perth is often a tough trip, but not so for Sydney.
The Sky Blues made it nine straight wins over the Glory and extended their unbeaten run at nib Stadium to seven with a 2-1 victory.
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Adam Le Fondre scored his seventh Hyundai A-League goal of the season before Danny De Silva struck against his former club.
Chris Ikonomidis, named in the Caltex Socceroos squad for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, netted his sixth of the league campaign, but Perth were unable to spoil Brandon O’Neill’s 100th Hyundai A-League game as their unbeaten start to the season was ended.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5982485904001
Singh shines as Phoenix claim 100th win
Sarpreet Singh starred as the Wellington Phoenix claimed their 100th Hyundai A-League win by beating Brisbane Roar 4-1.
Singh created four chances – and scored – against Brisbane. The 19-year-old is the only Phoenix player to create four chances in a game this season and has done so twice in the past three rounds.
REPORT: Wellington Phoenix 4 Brisbane Roar 1
An Avraam Papadopoulos own goal, David Williams’ first Hyundai A-League strike since March 2015 and Roy Krishna’s penalty saw Wellington to a third straight win. It marked the first time they have achieved that since 2015.
Henrique had equalised for Brisbane late in the first half before the Phoenix took control at Westpac Stadium.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5982776570001
Vargas helps Jets make history in F3 Derby
The Newcastle Jets made history with a 2-1 win over the Central Coast Mariners in the F3 Derby.
Ronald Vargas’ 82nd-minute goal gave the Jets a fourth straight win over the Mariners, the first time either club has gone on such a run in F3 Derby history.
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Jets star Dimitri Petratos came into Round 9 having created more chances than any other player, and he contributed an equal game-high three against the Mariners.
Newcastle’s dangerous attack was on show, with Jair and Vargas joining Petratos in creating three opportunities.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5982972396001
Mileusnic double not enough for Reds
Nikola Mileusnic scored his first Hyundai A-League brace, but Adelaide United were held to a 2-2 draw by the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Goals from Oriol Riera – after his penalty was saved by Paul Izzo – and Bruce Kamau either side of Mileusnic’s strikes saw the Wanderers secure a point against the 10-man Reds.
REPORT: Mileusnic brace not enough as Western Sydney salvage draw with 10-man Adelaide
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Izzo made six saves for Adelaide, marking just the fifth time any goalkeeper has managed at least that many this season.
Wanderers defender Brendan Hamill (100th Hyundai A-League game) and Reds centre-back Michael Jakobsen (50th) made milestone appearances during the entertaining draw.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5983551275001