Both Sydney clubs came out on top to cause major away successes over Melbourne Victory and Western United.
The Wanderers maintained a strong defensive unit en route to a narrow success over Victory while Sydney FC closed the A-League’s second round with a comfortable triumph against the Green and Blacks.
Macarthur downed Adelaide to make it three from three for Sydney’s clubs while Melbourne City beat Brisbane to go back-to-back.
Arthur Papas’ Newcastle Jets secured a dramatic win against Perth to start their campaign on a high note as Wellington and Central Coast settled for a point in the only contest this weekend without a victor.
Western United-Sydney FC 1-3
Sydney’s imports combined to hand them a massive victory on Sunday evening to get themselves back on track after last week’s loss in the Big Blue.
Western United right back Josh Risdon put the reigning champions ahead in the 16th minute after his long shot bounced awkwardly in front of goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne, creeping past him into the bottom right.
Sydney marksman Adam Le Fondre then had two opportunities from the spot to equalise, with his first effort being saved by goalkeeper Jamie Young’s feet (24′) before burying his second attempt in the bottom right (39′).
Former PAOK winger Robert Mak gave the Sky Blues the lead just two minutes later, striking the ball from the edge of the box into the bottom right, and fellow wide player Joe Lolley soon doubled their advantage with a shot into the top left (69′).
Greek-Australian playmaker James Troisi played 86 minutes in the contest for the Victorian side.
Sydney coach Steve Corica was pleased that his team managed to grind out a success despite not playing at their best.
“I don’t think we played as good today (as last week) but we got the result which is the main thing at this stage, picking up three points. Some very good goals as well, very exciting for some of those players and we had to see that game out at the end,” Mr Corica said post-match.
Macarthur FC-Adelaide Utd 2-0
The Bulls held firm to record a hard-fought win over the Reds on Sunday afternoon, moving up to third in the process.
The Campbelltown-based club pulled ahead after a quick counter-attack which released winger Daniel Arzani, who subsequently guided the ball into the bottom right.
Arzani then turned provider, dribbling down the left and into the box before squaring it for Lachlan Rose, with the striker scoring from close range (57′).
Centre half Jonathan Aspropotamitis played the full game to help Macarthur to the win and a clean sheet, with midfielder Jerry Skotadis also contributing well in his 76 minutes on the field.
Wellington Phoenix-Central Coast 2-2
A late own goal helped Wellington avoid a loss against a tough Mariners outfit, though they will be dismayed after once again dropping points at home.
The Phoenix found the back of the net first after a well-executed lob over the goalkeeper by forward Ben Waine (57′), though the Gosford club cancelled it out three minutes later through winger Sam Silvera’s powerful effort into the bottom left from the edge of the box.
Striker Jason Cummings soon pulled Central Coast ahead with his own lob over goalkeeper Oliver Sail (64′) before Mariners forward Paul Ayongo gifted the New Zealanders a point after headed the ball into his own net from a corner (88′).
Greek-New Zealander Kosta Barbarouses played the whole game but was unable to make a major contribution to push the Nix to the win.
Melbourne Victory-Western Sydney 0-1
A compact Wanderers side kept Victory at bay on Saturday evening to record a fantastic result and secure their second success in a hugely positive start to their campaign.
Western Sydney found their goal 41 minutes in after an attack started by centre back Tomislav Mrcela saw the defender advance into the box, having a shot saved by goalkeeper Paul Izzo before instinctively hitting the rebound into the goal.
Star forward Chris Ikonomidis came on for the final 23 minutes but was unable to replicate his super sub role from last week.
Victory manager Tony Popovic was very blunt about his side’s performance which failed to match the same determination and drive of their opponents.
“We didn’t deserve to win that game. We started off very well and then after that they were physically strong, dangerous on the break and there was a comedy of errors for the goal that we conceded,” Mr Popovic said post-match.
Newcastle Jets-Perth Glory 2-1
An injury time winner from Georgian forward Beka Mikeltadze helped the Jets sink Perth in their debut game of the season.
The Novocastrians took 59 minutes to break the deadlock, with centre back Jorday Elsey heading in a cross from right back Carl Jenkinson into the right side of the net.
Elsey soon nullified his contribution when he struck Perth’s David Williams in the head with a high foot, receiving a straight red (72′) and giving away a penalty which was slotted into the bottom right by midfielder Aaron McEneff (73′).
Newcastle turned a late defensive corner into a quick offensive counter, going from their box to the other as Mikeltadze received the ball and smacked it into the bottom left to earn all three points (90+4′).
Brisbane Roar-Melbourne City 0-2
A first half brace from goal machine Jamie Maclaren was enough to steer City to their second successive victory this term.
The Socceroos striker had little to do for his first as fellow attacker Andrew Nabbout struck a firm shot following a corner which Maclaren simply deflected off his boot into the left side of the goal (22′).
The current premiers soon won a penalty which Maclaren stepped up to take, burying it into the bottom right (38′).
The Queenslanders were given a small chance after central midfielder Gomulka Taras was given a straight red for a late challenge but they could not manage to break through.
A-League Ladder (teams with a game in hand)
1-Melbourne City: 6
2-Western Sydney: 6
3-Macarthur FC: 4
4-Sydney FC: 3
5-Newcastle Jets: 3 (1)
6-Melbourne Victory: 3
7-Wellington Phoenix: 2
8-Central Coast: 1 (1)
9-Adelaide United: 1
10-Brisbane Roar: 1
11-Perth Glory: 0
11-Western United: 0
