This A-League season hasn’t yielded quite the loot of records of the last, but Sydney FC’s 6-0 hammering of Perth equalled a mark not matched in seven years.
Goals to Brandon O’Neill, Adrian Mierzejewski and Alex Brosque, along with Bobo’s second hat-trick in as many games, extended the Sky Blues’ undefeated home record to 23 games to bring Graham Arnold’s men on par with Ange Postecoglou’s Brisbane side of 2010-11.
Not only that, the ruthless performance equalled Sydney’s biggest A-League win of all time and lifts them eight points clear at the top.
For the Glory, Saturday night became their eighth consecutive – and worst ever – loss to Sydney in all competitions, an unenviable record that leaves their top-six spot far less secure.
Despite that, the visitors’ start showed promise this chapter might not stick to the script, as Perth bore down on a slow-starting Sydney and forced several clearances, Liam Reddy called on only once to palm Bobo’s header over the crossbar.
But the early pressure amounted to nothing tangible and, by the 21st minute, Kenny Lowe’s side had been punished by a former son.
O’Neill, who struggled for game time at the Glory before being snapped up by Arnold, finished a wonderful move.
Mierzejewski, as usual, was the fulcrum, threading a through ball for Milos Ninkovic, who drew Reddy out and then side-footed to a waiting O’Neill.
So rapidly did the momentum shift, Perth were lucky to enter halftime only 1-0 down. The reprieve did not last though.
Mierzejewski, aggrieved the video assistant referee had disallowed his 58th-minute goal for offside, quickly made amends from a first time Josh Brillante pass.
Minutes later Brosque had tripled the lead via a flicked header and Bobo had both won and converted a penalty.
Substitute Jacob Italiano opened up Perth’s best chance 20 minutes from time with a deflected strike into the bar, before Andy Keogh diverted his follow-up header straight to Andrew Redmayne.
But by then they were just playing for time and Reddy was called on again and again to save the scoreline blowing out even further.
Eight saves in total the goalkeeper made but he could not stop Bobo’s 12th and 13th goals of the season, the Brazilian taking a touch off Mierzejewski’s ball and volleying home.
Reddy then brought Bobo down and, though he got a glove to the penalty kick, the ball rolled over the line.
It was Sydney’s 11th win from 13 matches played so far this A-League season.
punter
Guest
GA must be reading these bloggs, Simon not even on bench. Loved the whinny Brosque header, delightful goal.
punter
Guest
Still on a high, enjoying all the comments, even the salty ones. 2017 was a great for SFC & hoping for more of the same in 2018. To my fellow Roarers for 2018 I wish & your families good health.
Kangajets
Guest
Bobo finish was brazilliant
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
There were 20% more people at the SFC v Perth game than the Everton v Bournemouth English Premier League game. And the Glory away fans had to travel 5,400 kms. The death of the EPL is nigh too!
Nemesis
Guest
Whenever any team wins by such a heavy margin it's considered the greatest of all time. Every season we'll have at least one big blowout result like this. Some might remember this match. Sydney went 0-1 up after 8 minutes in Gosford. Then they got pulverised by one of the most awesome displays. Whole team played brilliantly, but 1 man stood out: Tom Rogic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFF9iqOys4o
Realfootball
Guest
For those calling this the best 45 by an A League team (and it was brilliant), can I draw your memories back to Ange's Brisbane versus Rini Coolen's Reds at Suncorp in October 2011. Brisbane up 3-1 (from memory, but it might have been 4) when they lose a player to a red card. Ange pulls off a defender and brings on a striker. Brisbane, a man down, score another 4 (or 3!). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdGwGJGBbeQ For my money that tops SFC v Perth any time. All the best for 2018, posters.
Fadida
Guest
Or at least start Matt Simon
LuckyEddie
Guest
Don't try to convince us try to get more Sydney people to go.
AGO74
Guest
Loved it. Six goals last night. 18 goals in 4 games. Probably the best 45 minutes from a team we've seen in the history of the a-league (honestly it could have been 8 or 9 goals instead of 5 in the 2nd half). The play of mierzejewzki, brosque, bobo et al. Wow. I wonder if the usual naysayers will say something negative about Sydney and how boring/lucky we are or how bad Perth were etc etc. I get that people don't like Sydney but even if you don't like the club you have to take your hat off to the way this team is playing. Brilliant, skilful and ruthless.
Kangajets
Guest
Absolutely I fear for Newcastle on Wednesday night . Can you give us a 3 goal head start
punter
Guest
They were impressive last night Kanga, it was a wonderful atmosphere & they were a well oiled machine with lots of brilliance.
Kangajets
Guest
To think I only tipped Sydney to win 5-0 . I underestimated them .
punter
Guest
Still on cloud 9, never, never thought I'd see an Australian football club side play at this level. Amazing performance, Mierzejewski has made this team better then last year. He is an amazing player, Ninko is as good as ever, Bobo, Bobo, Bobo. There is no weaknesses, every SFC favourite players O'Neill & Brillante are just outstanding, they work so hard, are good on the ball & are so structured.
Caltex Ten & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Watching the game on channel Ten (one) there seemed to be a rally of SydFC support---coming out in greater numbers. And luckily they did; as the SydFC supporters experienced one of the best ever second half performance ever seen in the history of the HAL. The SydFC XI were exhilarating and there will be no club in the league who will be able to hold them off, on that second half performance last night, against Perth Glory FC. I am not sure what system they changed to in the second half, but it was relentless. The three foreign players, Bobo, Mierzejewski and Nikovich were sublime and so were the two Aussie wing backs, Briillante and O'Neil---the whole team have gone up to another level and it will be impossible to see any other team matching them on that second half performance last night.
chris
Guest
Wow what a performance. Was at the game and some of the football played was simply brilliant. Hard to see anyone stopping them.
Nathan Strapps
Roar Rookie
Absolutely amazing football by Sydney FC, best team in the history of our competition. Adrian Mierzejewski is the best player in the league. Bravo