Surging Perth are two points shy of the A-League’s top six, after sending Sydney FC to a sobering 2-1 defeat on Saturday.
A horrendous mistake from Sky Blues goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic allowed striker Andy Keogh to score his second goal since returning to the Glory last month, while Chris Harold netted his fifth in his last five games before Shane Smeltz found a late consolation at Allianz Stadium.
It means the Sky Blues could slip to sixth place before this round is through, while Kenny Lowe’s side have now equalled a club-record four successive league wins.
The Glory’s aggressive, front-foot defending appeared to shock Sydney, who enjoyed dangerous spells but were defensively sloppy.
Slips in the hosts’ concentration saw them give cheap balls away throughout the first half, allowing the dangerous Diego Castro too much time and space.
But it was Janjetovic’s nightmare moment that gifted Perth the opener.
The veteran custodian got gloves to Gyorgy Sandor’s venomous cross.
But he fumbled and the ball popped free right at the goalmouth, where Keogh was waiting to execute probably the easiest tap-in of his career.
Sydney increased the intensity and fought hard to atone, nearing an equaliser five minutes later when Rhyan Grant headed in the box for youngster George Blackwood to almost score his first A-League goal.
His header, however, hit the crossbar – the 18-year-old sent another high on the tick of halftime after David Carney picked him out with a lovely long ball.
Debutant starter Carney and the returned Alex Brosque experimented with their new attacking partnership, their closest opportunity when Carney snuck into a pocket and fed to his skipper, who swivelled and fired just wide.
Coach Graham Arnold attempted to restore some balance and get his defence forward by introducing Ali Abbas at left-back to replace Grant, while Blackwood was subbed off for Robert Stambolziev.
The second half was end to end.
Sydney at last located their eagerness, but their bid to claim this game was all-but lost in the 65th minute.
Gyorgy Sandor fired a cracker that forced Janjetovic into a diving save, the rebound hitting the feet of Harold, who rolled into the corner.
Tempers threatened to flare when Marc Warren was yellow carded for bringing down Brosque and Abbas copped one himself for dissenting, before Mickael Tavares was shown more yellow for a rugby-style tackle on Krisztian Vadocz.
With 11 minutes to go, Milos Ninkovic put a smart ball forward for substitute Smeltz, who finished clinically.
Download the app NOW to make sure you never miss a must-see sporting moment.
The Roar TV – it’s your sports video.
Jets Fan
Guest
Good old Arnie, always has someone else to blame! Used to be that his club had the leagues smallest budget! NOW the grass doesn't suit in daylight! I predicted at the start of the season that Sydney FC would miss the six. Looking good! Arnie not up to A-League standard, out of ideas, deep in trouble!
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
You'd think it will be a quiet off season as far as player movement goes, hopefully we can retain both Risdon and Castro and the club should do whatever possible to do so. The ingredients are there, a very strong back four (yes even Warren is making huge strides) with a midfield that has creativity and the bit of mongrel needed to win a battle when needed and as of next year a pretty scaring looking strike force. Also pretty strong depth as well when you think Dino Djulbic, Aryn Williams, Jamal Reiners and Oxborrow all seem to fit in seamlessly when called upon.
fadida
Guest
Over to you Punter. Boring and winning = passable Boring and a losing run = ?
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
Credit to the boys, very difficult fortnight with all the travel to come away with all 6 points is a massive achievement. The performances weren't perfect but at this point it's just important we are winning games. The side has really put themselves in the mix now and massive credit to everybody involved to pull ourselves out of the wreckage of last season, which was still very much being felt at the beginning of this season.
Waz
Guest
And how good might they be looking longer term at next season??
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
It is a great win for Perth who are suddenly knocking on the door of the top six and offering a bit of hope for the fans out West. Depending on results Perth may be in the top six at the end of the next round.
Waz
Guest
Arnies post match comments were funny - struggling to explain the performance he actually said "maybe it's playing on grass in daylight?" Now he actually said the words "this surface in daylight" which I guess is a reference to the rugby played last week but why it might play better at night only he would know? It's hard to see where he's going with the team this season and I guess the pressure is telling.
Buddy
Guest
I watched the first half including that horrible goalkeeping error but couldn't go back for the second 45, it just wasn't a half that,did anything to positively promote the HAL. Maybe it was the heat or just style of play? I fully accept Mr Arnolds recent comments about the importance of winning matches amd that entertainment doesn't come into it but something still nags away at me that suggests more people would attend and would watch on TV if they thought the team was going to play some enterprising and attacking football. Having said that, I cannot explain why Mel City do not attract larger crowds..........my own answer lies somewhere around what the real marketplace looks like. Just because we have half a million registered players, that does not equate tomhalf a million HAL watchers. I am confident SFC will step up a few gears for the derby next weekend, otherwise the entertainment will come from the "sing off" assuming there are no flare ups...pun intended.
pete4
Guest
Disappointing loss to a resurgent Perth who are stringing the wins away from home No respite either Sydney FC's upcoming schedule is very busy now with 5 matches in the next 15 days (yes the Derby next week looms as absolutely pivotal)
Waz
Guest
I can't say I'm disappointed; Graham Arnold's defence was "at least we're not losing" well now they are and as the booo's at the end of a second home game showed - he's nowhere to hide. The derby next week becomes a "must win" or they'll find themselves 10-12 points adrift of Wanderers with only 7 games left - impossible from there I'd say.