Adelaide defender Robert Cornthwaite was sent off in controversial fashion as Perth Glory secured a 4-2 A-League triumph at nib Stadium on Wednesday night.
Glory marquee Robbie Fowler scored a brace to secure just the second victory for Perth in their past 17 matches.
But the talking point of the match was Cornthwaite’s straight red in the 75th minute, with his slight contact on Mile Sterjovski in the box earning the full wrath of referee Chris Beath.
Cornthwaite reacted angrily to Sterjovski’s fall and engaged in a push and shove with Glory captain Jacob Burns and Adriano Pellegrino before being given his marching orders.
Fowler, who just eight minutes earlier had given Perth a 3-2 lead, slotted home the penalty to secure the win.
It capped a topsy-turvy game, which had seen Adelaide twice come from behind before Fowler’s late spree.
Perth hit the lead in the sixth minute through Jamie Coyne’s free header but Adelaide were back on level terms in the 22nd minute when substitute Joseph Keenan volleyed home.
A blunder from Adelaide goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic led to Perth’s second, with the custodian beaten to the ball by Sterjovski after charging out of the box in a failed bid to intercept Josh Mitchell’s long ball.
Sterjovski headed the bouncing ball past a helpless Galekovic before converting from the edge of the box, with a running Cassio failing in his poor attempt to clear the ball off the line.
But there were more twists to come, with Sergio van Dijk popping up for his 10th goal of the season, and fourth in his past four matches, to again draw Adelaide level in the 50th minute.
However, things turned pear shaped for Adelaide from there, with Fowler tucking away a beautiful through ball from Pellegrino in the 67th minute before stepping up to the penalty spot shortly after to score his ninth goal of the season.
Adelaide’s second loss on the trot leaves them just four points clear of third-placed Central Coast and fourth-placed Gold Coast, who have both played two fewer games than United.
Perth climbed above North Queensland and Sydney into ninth spot but remain five points and massive goal difference adrift of the top six.
Adelaide coach Rini Coolen said he had no problem with the penalty being awarded.
“The way I saw it … I think it was a fair decision,” Coolen said. “That’s what I think now. I’ll have to look back at the situation.
“I didn’t blame the referee for that moment. I thought he did the right thing to be honest but I have to look at the situation back.”
Sterjovski felt it was a clear penalty.
“A penalty’s a penalty. He put his arm around me and brought me down,” Sterjovski said.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
It was not too long ago that it was no guarantee that the best youth talents from South Australia would make their A-League debuts…
Even though St.Pauli ultimately lost a high-scoring affair, Jackson Irvine was a standout, as well as scoring a late goal.
Mathew Leckie played a pivotal part in Melbourne City claiming an 8-nil win; playing a role in several of his team's goals.
A 10-man Macarthur FC have scored twice in the final 10 minutes and goalkeeper Filip Kurto saved an added-time penalty to defeat Adelaide United…
Clubs have cited regulations claiming players who decline national team call-ups ought to be prevented from featuring at a domestic level.
The loser of the Sydney Derby will be under immense pressure entering the final three matches of the season.
