Adelaide move to 4th, Sydney lead A-League

SYDNEY: Adelaide United climbed to fourth spot in Australia’s A-League following their 1-0 win over Central Coast Mariners in Adelaide on Tuesday.

The Reds’ winner came from a 14th minute Ryan Kitto goal — his fifth of the season — when he prodded home a cross from Ryan Strain.Brazilian striker Bobo claimed a hat-trick for competition leaders Sydney FC to dispatch bottom-of-the-table Wellington 4-1 in New Zealand.

Sydney FC’s win, their sixth in succession since losing to Central Coast in early November, came against a Phoenix side under pressure after losing assistant coach Rado Vidosic and his striker son Dario. Defending champions Sydney brutally punished errors by the home side, scoring twice inside the first half-hour, and lead the Newcastle Jets by five points after 12 rounds. The Jets continued to surprise with a smashing 4-0 win over crisis-hit club Western Sydney Wanderers.

Inspired by attacking midfielder Dimi Petratos, the Jets put the Wanderers to the sword with one of the best offensive displays of the season. A moment of madness by goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis allowed Melbourne Victory to snatch a last-gasp 1-0 win in the Melbourne derby.

Third-placed Melbourne City looked set to take a point from the festive match until Bouzanis’ clumsy trip on Mark Milligan led to the spot kick which Socceroo Milligan converted in the 96th minute.