Melbourne City’s hopes of a second successive premiership were vastly improved after destroying Wellington Phoenix in an A-League round which featured a whopping 24 goals in six games.

Melbourne City decimated Wellington Phoenix in a dominant display, extending their lead to five points after their Victorian counterparts, Western United, drew against Central Coast.

The Sky Blues exacted vengeance against the Wanderers in an exhilarating derby clash to greatly improve their odds of a finals berth.

Melbourne Victory recorded a huge away success over Adelaide United in the Original Rivalry match to go level on 28 points with both their opponents and Sydney FC.

Arthur Papas’ Newcastle side were beaten by Brisbane Roar while Macarthur launched a fantastic comeback to add to Perth Glory’s misery.

Macarthur FC-Perth Glory 4-2

The Bulls overturned a 0-2 deficit to ascend into third place on Sunday evening, simultaneously adding to their opposition’s grief.

The Glory started the match incredibly well, with midfielder Giordano Colli scoring a magnificent free kick within the first minute, soon followed by a wonderful goal from young striker Trent Jordan Ostler (18′).

Two converted penalties from Macarthur captain Ulises Davila (38′) and winger Craig Noone made it level (54′).

The Campbelltown side, in spite of midfielder Charles M’Mombwa’s second yellow (66′), managed to find the back of the net twice more thanks to strikes from forwards Al Hassan Toure (82′) and Moudi Najar (90+6′) to earn a brilliant three points.

Star Macarthur striker Apostolos Giannou played the full 90 minutes.

Brisbane Roar-Newcastle Jets 2-0

Two young forwards struck late to spur Brisbane to an impressive victory over Newcastle.

After 80 minutes of play, Jets defender Lucas Mauragis was sent off for a second yellow in a moment which changed the Novocastrians fortunes.

Roar forward Henry Hore scored just three minutes later to put his team ahead and the result was guaranteed after a brilliant finish by fellow striker Luke Ivanovic (90+3′).

Newcastle started Savvas Siatravanis and subbed on Kosta Grozos with minutes left in the game.

Sydney FC-Western Sydney 3-2

A second half double from striker Trent Buhagiar led the Sky Blues to derby delight on Saturday night, defeating a dismayed Western Sydney side in an end-to-end epic.

Sydney marksman Adam Le Fondre stunned the visitors two minutes in, producing a gorgeous finish into the bottom right from an awkward angle, though the Wanderers soon equalised through forward Tomer Hemed’s volley in the box following a corner (17′).

A squared ball from star forward Kosta Barbarouses was belted in by Trent Buhagiar (66′) and he completed his brace five minutes later to put the Sky Blues two in front.

Wanderers defender Tate Russell’s looping header caught goalkeeper Adam Pavlesic out of position to halve the deficit (75′) but Sydney held on to the end, even in spite of Rhyan Grant’s second yellow (89′) in his milestone game (becoming his club’s record appearance maker).

Western Sydney fielded midfielders Dimitri Petratos, Terry Antonis and James Troisi (also captain).

Sydney FC manager Steve Corica had nothing but praise for his side.

“I’m very proud of the players…It had everything tonight, that derby, and that’s what it is all about…To come out on top is even more important at this point in time,” Mr Corica said post-match.

Adelaide United-Melbourne Victory 0-1

An early goal was enough for the Melbournians to record a significant away success over their Original rivals, Adelaide.

Victory winger Marco Rojas scored a tap-in from close range (7′) and some resolute defending secured their third win in Adelaide this season, an impressive feat which was not lost on coach Tony Popovic.

“It’s hard enough to get one win here. We’ve had three, two big ones in the league and obviously the cup win, so today was another big result,” Mr Popovic said post-match.

Wellington Phoenix-Melbourne City 0-6

It was goals galore as the reigning premiers annihilated Wellington in a frighteningly phenomenal performance, setting them well on course for another premiership title.

An own goal from centre half Finn Surman set the tone of the match (17′), though the league leaders did not score again until the second half where they hit the back of the net a whopping five times.

City found goals through wingers Mathew Leckie (50′) and Andrew Nabbout (59′), defender Curtis Good’s corner header (68′) and a quickfire brace from substitute Marco Tilio (76′, 81′).

Western United-Central Coast 2-2

A crucial late penalty save from veteran goalkeeper Jamie Young rescued a point for Western United against a bitterly disappointed Mariners side.

Central Coast striker Jamie Cummings guided the ball in from a corner to take the lead (36′) before a headed own goal from a free kick by winger Noah Smith (46′) and a header from former PAOK forward Aleksandar Prijovic (63′) put the Green and Blacks ahead.

Cummings equalised a minute later before stepping up to the penalty spot for his hat-trick in the 90+1st minute, with Young producing a pivotal diving save to his left to ensure a point for the Victorians.

A-League Ladder (number of matches played)

1-Melbourne City: 43 (22)

2-Western United: 38 (20)

3-Macarthur FC: 29 (20)

4-Melbourne Victory: 28 (18)

5-Sydney FC: 28 (21)

6-Adelaide United: 28 (21)

7-Wellington Phoenix: 27 (18)

8-Central Coast: 23 (18)

9-Newcastle Jets: 22 (19)

10-Brisbane Roar: 20 (19)

10-Western Sydney: 20 (19)

12-Perth Glory: 14 (19)

Round 23 fixtures currently scheduled at time of publication

Adelaide United-Macarthur FC: 19.45, Friday 8 April

Western United-Wellington Phoenix: 14.05, Saturday 9 April

WS Wanderers-Brisbane Roar: 17.05, Saturday 9 April

CC Mariners-Sydney FC: 19.45, Saturday 9 April

Melbourne Victory-Melbourne City: 19.45, Saturday 9 April

Newcastle Jets-Perth Glory: 16.05, Sunday 10 April