Sydney go 9 points clear with 3-1 win

MELBOURNE: Brazilian striker Bobo nabbed a double as Sydney FC came from behind to beat A-League rivals Melbourne Victory 3-1 and go nine points clear after the weekend’s 18th round of matches.

Victory hit the front with a Besart Berisha penalty on 58 minutes, but Bobo’s double and a third goal from David Carney wrapped up Sydney’s win over the 10-man Victory in Melbourne. Jason Geria was red-carded for bringing down Bobo and the Brazilian’s penalty left Victory in fourth spot. The Newcastle Jets are in outright second place after a 2-2 away draw with Melbourne City. Scottish striker Ross McCormack was denied a fairytale farewell even though Melbourne City twice came from behind to rescue a point.The on-loan striker had a goal-bound attempt at a dramatic winner cleared off the line in stoppage time. Ernie Merrick’s Jets had led for a second time in the match with a goal from Jason Hoffman before Dario Vidosic — a transfer window signing — equalised for third-placed City eight minutes from regulation time.

Adelaide United are one point behind Victory in fifth spot after George Blackwood’s strike gave them a 1-0 win over Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand. Brisbane Roar rebounded from a difficult week to leapfrog Central Coast Mariners in the standings with a 2-1 win. Former Socceroos Brett Holman and Matt McKay put Roar ahead, capitalising on defensive errors as Roar recovered from their midweek AFC Champions League exit to Philippines side Ceres-Negros.

Blake Powell pulled one back but the Mariners finished a man down when Dutchman Wout Brama was sent off for a dangerous studs-up tackle.Perth Glory broke their run of outs with a 3-1 win over a 10-man Western Sydney Wanderers in Perth on Sunday. Keanu Baccus was shown a straight red for giving away a penalty which Spaniard Diego Castro converted.