Western Sydney bounce back from humiliating loss to beat Perth Glory

Thrashed 7-0 by Melbourne City less than a week ago, the Wanderers have hit back with a win in Perth.

The Wanderers celebrate Brandon Borrello’s goal against Perth Glory. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Western Sydney coach Marko Rudan is adamant the Wanderers are “very together” despite rumours of unrest at the club after a tumultuous period on and off the field.

Humiliated in a midweek 7-0 loss to Melbourne City, the Wanderers bounced back with a 2-1 win over Perth Glory at HBF Park on Saturday night.

Substitute Lachlan Brook scored the winner in the 83rd minute, with the VAR over-ruling an offside decision from the assistant referee.

Socceroo Brandon Borrello’s first goal of the A-League season had given Western Sydney the lead in the 11th minute before an error from Wanderers goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas led to Glory captain Adam Taggart equalising in first-half stoppage-time.

The Glory wasted chances to go ahead in the second-half, and were made to pay the price when Brook netted the winner somewhat against the run of play.

The win ended a three-game losing streak, including a 4-1 derby loss to Sydney FC, for the Wanderers and lifted them back into the top six.

Wanderers coach Marko Rudan (right) celebrates with his players after Lachlan Brook’s winning goal. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

It will also perhaps ease the pressure on Rudan, who was last month suspended for breaching the national code of conduct, and whose job is on the line despite signing a three-year contract extension only two months ago.

“It’s been a difficult month for myself, the players and the whole football club,” Rudan told Network 10 before Saturday night’s match.

“It’s not easy, particularly the last result (against Melbourne City), but we had a good chat as a playing group, and asked some serious hard questions about ourselves.

“We’ve had a good, strong, hard look at ourselves. We drew a line in the sand, and as a group we’re very together in this and we’re very motivated.”

Rudan, who failed to front for the post-match press conference after his side’s embarrassing loss to Melbourne City, said his position wasn’t “easy”.

“I’m not looking for excuses,” he said.

“There’s been a lot of soul searching, and a lot of communication between myself and people who are mentors of mine, and people who have been there for me right from the first day I started coaching.

“It’s not an easy position to have because you lead so many people at the football club.

“The senior players need to lead, and myself as well.”