1. Melbourne City (3)
Melbourne City now sit just win off the top of the A-League table, and do so as the form team of the competition. Their 3-1 victory on Monday Night over the Phoenix came in comfortable fashion despite the fact the Phoenix had their moments. A 12th minute goal to goal-machine Bruno Fornaroli set the wheels in motion and continued his brilliant form in front of goal. A Novillo double, one each side of halftime, iced the game. City did concede a brilliant goal, but could have added to their two-goal lead. A win over the Wanderers this Friday night in the game of the round would see them go top.
2. Sydney FC (1)
Sydney FC were flying after their huge derby win, however were brought back to earth after a loss in the “big blue”. In a game we'll refer to as defensively minded, Sydney could not break the shackles against a disciplined Victory backline. Vedran Janjetovic's 2nd minute save stopped the away side from facing a Victory avalanche, and in the end it took a Matt Jurman own goal to separate the sides. Sydney FC's performances over the past fortnight won't be referred to as footballing classics, but they stole the points late against the Wanderers and looked as though they had at least a point away in Melbourne.
3. Adelaide United (4)
Adelaide United turned in the performance of the road with an incredible 4-1 victory away to the high flying Brisbane Roar. They took the lead via some luck in the 19th minute but their reaction to a controversial penalty, and equaliser, with three goals in the final 35 minutes was brilliant to watch. Bruce Djite hit the back of the net twice within eleven minutes to wrap up the three points, before a Marcelo Carrusca goal in injury time was the cherry on top. Five shots on goal, and four goals, from six shots, is an incredible stat. Four goals away from home despite only 35% possession is unheard on. Eight straight games without defeat has Adelaide firmly inside the top six.
4. Brisbane Roar (2)
Brisbane have suffered two straight losses, and have shipped eight goals in the process. Incredibly they had 65% possession at home to Adelaide yet could only find their way onto the scoreboard via a controversial penalty. That piece of luck should have been the turning point and fired the home side on, however they fell apart and shipped three goals in the last 35 minutes. They really need to turn in an improved performance away to Sydney FC this weekend to help rid their memories of the past fortnight. Their defence has been very
“un-Roar-like” as of late.
5. Western Sydney Wanderers (5)
The Wanderers rebounded from their disappointing derby loss with a 2-1 win over the Mariners away from home. Brendon Santalab's late goal wrapped up three points and returned the Wanderers to the top of the table. For large parts of the first half it looked as though the Wanderers were looking comfortable, however the game changed the second Luis Garcia took the field. Despite the momentum swing and the crowd really entering the game, the Wanderers were able to work the chance and Santalab was never going to miss from a few metres with the goal wide open.
6. Melbourne Victory (6)
The Victory don't advance despite their win over rivals Sydney FC. Truth be told this was not the attacking, free-flowing game some expected, and was instead dominated by each side's back fours. It was the Victory who were able to create the chance and although they were lucky the ball was turned home via Matt Jurman, they had the ball in the right area and possible deserved a bit of luck. This won't be a game, or performance, that is talked about for long, but the occasion was incredible and the Victory are back on track, and that is far more important.
7. Perth Glory (8)
Earlier when I mentioned that Adelaide turned in the performance of the round, Glory fans may feel hard done by after their side tour the Newcastle Jets apart. Incredibly the six-goal performance came away from Western Australia, making the result even more impressive. Somewhat unbelievably given the result, it was the Jets who opened the scoring in the 12th minute, but it was all-Glory from there on. Perth were a goal up approaching half time, but it was the send-off of Nigel Boogaard that ended the Jet's chances. The Glory took full advantage of their man advantage, banging in four goals in the second half.
8. Central Coast Mariners (7)
The Mariners looked a fairly distant second best in the first half of their game against the Wanderers, however the game completely changed when Luis Garcia entered the competition. The Mariners marquee man played a role in the equalising goal and looked to have provided a spark for his teammates, and the home fans, just by being there. Unfortunately a defensive lapse allowed Brendon Santalab to tap in a winner, but the signs were good. Although the Wanderers can't be referred to as lucky, both goals did come on the back of horror defensive errors, which means they were unable to break the Mariners down from general play.
9. Newcastle Jets (9)
Newcastle fans would have been extremely happy with their side's opening 15 or so minutes, as they took a goal lead over the visiting Glory. Unfortunately the home side was a distant second following the Glory's equaliser just over ten minutes later. Nigel Boogaard's send-off was a mental shot the Jets could not overcome, falling apart and conceding four second-half goals. It's a shame as this performance has taken the gloss off last weekend's win. Boogaard now has two red cards this season, and he really can have no complaints.
10. Wellington Phoenix (10)
The Phoenix remain on the bottom of the power rankings after another disappointing performance and result. Roly Bonevacia's goal was an absolute cracker however it probably drew the Phoenix closer than they really deserved to be. This result means that the Wellington based side are now seven games without a win and has them seven points outside the finals spots. They have now scored less goals than the Mariners, the second least overall, whilst having conceded the second highest amount of goals. That doesn't make for good reading for a side that two months ago looked in the finals race.
