Sydney rout Wanderers in A-League derby

SYDNEY: Champions Sydney FC smashed the Western Sydney Wanderers 5-0 to maintain their five-point lead at the top of Australia’s A-League this weekend.

Polish attacker Adrian Mierzejewski netted a brace and Alex Brosque got his first goal of the season as Sydney inflicted on the Wanderers their worst ever A-League defeat.

The Wanderers are now eight games without a win in a barren spell stretching back to the opening round in early October, while their new Spanish coach Josep Gombau is still searching for his first win after four attempts.

Newcastle Jets scored two late goals to snatch a 2-1 win over Perth Glory and hold on to second place in the standings.

The Glory looked headed for victory following a 20th-minute strike from Joe Knowles, but teenage substitute John Koutroumbis equalised in the 88th minute. Glory threw away all the points in stoppage time through an own goal by defender Jeremy Walker.

Scottish striker Ross McCormack scored his seventh goal of the season and his first in open play as Melbourne City downed Central Coast Mariners 1-0 in Melbourne on Sunday. McCormack, on loan from English Championship club Aston Villa, jumped to the top of the A-League scorers charts with a classy finish after 59 minutes to keep City in third spot.