Sydney FC make wasteful Melbourne City pay the price

It was a top-of-the-table clash for the ages and one that could see Sydney FC run away with the title race.

Adam Le Fondre equalises for Sydney FC after a goalmouth scamble during the top-of-the-table clash at Jubilee Stadium. Picture: AAP

It was a top-of-the-table clash for the ages and one that may go a long way towards deciding the title race.

Although down to 10 men and missing key players, Sydney FC showed their championship pedigree and powered to a 2-1 win against Melbourne City last night.

An impressive crowd of 17, 421 at Jubilee Stadium saw Sydney extend their lead at the top of the A-League to nine points. City, enjoying a numerical advantage for more than an hour after Sydney’s Rhyan Grant was sent off, had chances to put Sydney to the sword, but came up short.

City’s profligacy was punished when Sky Blues attacker Kosta Barbarouses breached the defence to slot home the winner six minutes from time.

While this clash was always going to have a big say in who holds up the Premiers Plate in a few months, form suggests that piece of silverware will be heading to the Harbour City.

Second-placed Melbourne’s hopes are slipping away. In six of the past nine seasons, the team on top come New Year’s Day have finished first. Sydney’s current buffer — plus their imperious form — means fears of a runaway title linger.

City coach Erick Mombaerts conceded that it will be very hard to stop Sydney’s charge.

“They have a lot of points in advance, they are the best team,” said Mombaerts.

“Maybe it’s not important to focus on Sydney, we have to make our championship.

“Maybe this team is very difficult now to come back.”

Sydney striker Adam Le Fondre celebrates his goal against Melbourne City. Picture: Getty Images

Sydney FC coach Steve Corica refused to entertain suggestions first place was all but wrapped up.

“There is a long way to go and we just make sure we take it one game at a time” Corica said. “We treat our opponents the same whether they are second or 11th.”

Boasting a golden boot candidate and a wealth of attacking experience within their ranks, much was expected from City.

Striker Jamie Maclaren — who has already hit double figures this season — found himself with a clear-cut chance in the first half but the header he should have buried went begging.

Craig Noone and Adrian Luna only compounded City’s grief in front of goal with some bad misses of their own.

Mombaerts lamented his side’s wastefulness in front of goal.

“I know that it’s not easy, we need to work on our mentality,” he said.

“Today was a good chance maybe to come back behind Sydney but we missed our chance.”

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Striker Jamie Maclaren — who has already hit double figures this season — found himself with a clear-cut chance in the first half but the header he should have buried went begging.

Craig Noone and Adrian Luna only compounded City’s grief in front of goal with some bad misses of their own.

Mombaerts lamented his side’s wastefulness in front of goal.

“I know that it’s not easy, we need to work on our mentality,” he said.

“Today was a good chance maybe to come back behind Sydney but we missed our chance.”

Corica said that keeping Socceroos goal machine Maclaren in check had been a cornerstone of the defensive game plan.

“We kept Jamie Maclaren quiet,” said Corica. “We frustrated them and we defended well, especially with balls into the box.”

An eventful first half roared to life in the 22nd minute when Connor Metcalfe scored with a humping header for City. Adam Le Fondre equalised seven minutes later after Grant’s send off and his rare miss from the penalty spot in the 44th minute only added to the spectacle.

Then late on, the shock winner by Barbarouses capped off a memorable night for the home team.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH