Sydney FC close in on A-League top spot
AFP
AFP, SYDNEY: Sydney FC maintained their eight-point lead at the head of the standings and can seal top spot leading into the A-League playoffs if they beat closest rivals Melbourne Victory next weekend.
The Sky Blues bounced back from last weeks first loss of the season to Western Sydney with a 3-1 win over Melbourne City on Friday.
Brazilian Bobo scored a double and Brandon ONeill slotted home a freekick against City, who finished with 10 men after defender Manny Muscat was sent off.
Sydney can clinch top spot in the regular season with a win over Melbourne Victory at home next weekend.
Victory survived a late scare from last-placed Adelaide United to win 2-1 at home on Saturday.
Victory dominated but could not break through until the 66th minute, when Marco Rojas converted a free kick. Leading scorer Besart Berisha made it 2-0 in the 82nd minute with a sublime finish.
But Adelaides Tarek Elrich pounced on loose defending to pull a goal back in the 90th minute.
Perth Glory climbed to third in the standings after a 2-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers at home on Saturday.
Chris Harold scored his second goal of the season before substitute Joel Chianese sealed the result deep in stoppage time. Brisbane Roar missed a chance to move ahead in the battle for third spot after going down 1-2 to Wellington Phoenix at home on Saturday.
