Spanish attacker Sergio Cirio scored again as Adelaide United burst Perth Glory’s bubble with a 2-0 win in Sunday’s A-League fixture.
Substitute Awer Mabil also scored to ensure Adelaide joined Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC as unbeaten clubs after three rounds.
Adelaide deservedly defeated the Glory, who entered the round as surprise league leaders – by game’s end, they had slipped to fifth.
Cirio was gifted the opening goal – his third in as many matches – by milestone man Marcelo Carrusca, in his 50th appearance for the Reds.
The Argentine ace, whose laconic gait belies a razor sharp mind, arrowed an insightful pass to set up Cirio’s 18th minute strike.
Carrusca picked the pocket of Perth defender Scott Jamieson and stole possession on a flank, then delivered a sweet 20 metre through-ball to Cirio, steaming towards goal.
The Spanish import did not break stride and slotted a first-time right-foot shot into the net to delight the 11,473 crowd at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Cirio also scored in Adelaide’s FFA Cup quarter-final win against Sydney FC on Tuesday night, and in a 1-1 A-League draw against Melbourne Victory last weekend.
His goal was just reward for Adelaide, which iced the game in the 68th minute when Mabil neatly converted.
The substitute was deftly played into space by recruit Craig Goodwin, who impressed with dash and creativity in his best performance for the Reds.
Goodwin’s soft left-foot lay-off gave Mabil an unfettered run at goal and, when five metres out, he beat Perth keeper Danny Vukovic with a near-post strike.
Some 15 minutes later, Mabil was within a metre of another goal: a Cirio pass found the sub in space but he inexplicably failed to control the ball when an open goal line was begging, ballooning the ball over the cross bar.
In other A-League matches:
Brisbane Roar 0-2 Sydney FC
Melbourne Victory 5-2 Melbourne City
Wellington Phoenix 4-1 Newcastle Jets
Source: AAP