Winners
Western United
It was another dominant display from the boys out West, with Mark Rudan’s side making a strong statement in Adelaide – putting five goals past a helpless Adelaide United.
Western’s dynamic front third were as prolific as ever.
Besart Berisha grabbed a brace – which takes him to equal second in the golden boot race – Max Burgess continued where he left off while Alessandro Diamanti and Connor Pain were also among the goal scorers.
The result sees Western United replace Adelaide inside the top six – with the Reds’ goal difference suffering significantly, dropping to negative five.
After failing to score in February, Western United has made up for it in the first nine days of March – scoring 11 goals in their last two games as they head into the bye.
Brisbane Roar
It becomes harder each week to see the Roar missing finals, with Robbie Fowler’s side putting in another impressive display – this week against the in-form Western Sydney Wanderers.
Scott McDonald got things rolling with his debut goal inside the first three minutes, before the former Celtic forward added a second in the 37th minute – after a Roarcelona-esque build up.
John O’Shea put the result beyond doubt from the penalty spot after Mitchell Duke fired the Wanderers back into the contest early in the second half – a result which sees the Roar jump to fifth, one point off the fourth placed Perth Glory.
Manchester United
Manchester is red.
For the first time since 2010 the Red Devils have completed the double over Manchester City – continuing their impressive form over the past two months.
It was a cheeky yet clever set-piece routine orchestrated by Bruno Fernandes which saw Anthony Martial smash home the opener, before a calamitous Ederson clanger left the goal wide open for midfielder Scott McTominay deep into stoppage time.
With the Premier League title sewn up, fans now direct their attention towards the race for fourth with Chelsea sitting three points ahead of United, after their 4-0 drubbing of Everton.
Wolves and Sheffield United remain the other sides in the hunt for the final Champions League spot, five points behind Chelsea in sixth and seventh respectively.
Losers
Melbourne Victory
Filling their fans with so much hope after last week’s emphatic win over Adelaide, Victory fans were left fuming after the final whistle as they were once again embarrassed at home – this time to Sydney FC.
Despite taking the lead in the fifth minute through a sublime Marco Rojas finish, the Sky Blues punished Victory’s inaccuracy up-front – with Milos Ninkovic equalising in the 43rd minute moments after Elvis Kamsoba spurned a chance to extend the lead at the other end.
It all then fell a part for the home side in the second half, as Sydney piled on more misery with two goals in two minutes, before a sending off to Tim Hoogland saw Kosta Barbarouses net his side’s fourth from the penalty spot.
The loss emphasises Victory’s dramatic fall from grace.
Finals now well and truly out of the picture while the club’s passionate supporters have voted with their feet – the club on track to record its lowest average home attendance since 2010/11.
Manchester City
Despite winning the League Cup and on track to progress to the quarter finals of the Champions League – it’s been a Premier League campaign Manchester City fans will hope to forget.
City can only blame themselves for the loss to United, with Fernandes taking advantage of the City defence falling asleep during a set-piece before goalkeeper Ederson gifted McTominay the sealer deep into stoppage time.
Their loss to Manchester United nonetheless reflects this, as City recorded its seventh loss for the season – the most the club has recorded since 2015/16.
Adelaide United
It was hard to find many positives for Adelaide United.
For the second time in three weeks the Reds have conceded five goals – slumping to their third successive defeat.
Ben Halloran’s omission was noticeable albeit fails to justify this hammering at home to Western United, who now replace the Reds inside the top six.
