Sydney FC edged their noses back in front in the intense three-way race for the A-League minor premiership with a come-from-behind 3-1 win over Newcastle on Sunday.

Vitezslav Lavicka’s side bounced back from their defeat to the Gold Coast last week with an impressive performance at EnergyAustralia Stadium to complete an eventful A-League round which saw the future of the league’s star import Robbie Fowler plunged into doubt.

Sydney took full advantage of the Gold Coast’s fiery draw with Central Coast on Friday night and responded to Melbourne’s 2-0 win over Adelaide on Saturday to move a point clear of the pair, though the Victory can move top in Tuesday’s catch-up game against Wellington.

“Of course very important to be back on top and we are very happy, but the season is still going,” Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka said.

“Every team wants to reach the best position they can, it’s a long season, and we must now focus only on our next game against Brisbane.”

Fourth-placed Newcastle looked set to continue their good form when Jobe Wheelhouse put them ahead in the 32nd minute but goals to John Aloisi, Stuart Musialik and Chris Payne gave Sydney their first come-from-behind win of the campaign.

The win was soured slight by a possible hamstring injury to John Aloisi, while they could also be without fellow striker Mark Bridge in the run to the finals after a toe problem was discovered midweek.

Aloisi and Bridge may not be the only high-profile strikers absent in the coming weeks with doubts surrounding the future of North Queensland’s marquee man Fowler after he sat out the Fury’s 1-1 draw with Brisbane on Saturday night.

The former England forward refused to play in the match after being told by coach Ian Ferguson he would be starting on the bench.

Fury chairman Don Matheson is set to hold crisis talks with the 34-year-old on Monday and dismissed suggestions Fowler had played his last game for the club because of an ongoing feud with the manager.

“He’s here to play football. He didn’t play last night for reasons between him and the coach,” Matheson said.

“I’ll talk to him tomorrow and it will be sorted out tomorrow.”

Sydney moved to 42 points with Sunday’s win, one ahead of Melbourne and the Gold Coast, with the Jets now seven points away in fourth spot.

Perth (33 points) are a point back following their 2-0 win over Wellington on Friday night with the Phoenix (31) rounding out the top six.

The Mariners (27), Roar (27) and Fury (26) are now only outside chances of making the finals while last-placed Adelaide (23) can begin planning for next season.

© AAP 2012

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