Wanderers break home drought in style by thrashing Adelaide United

Mitch Duke scored twice as Western Sydney ended their home drought with an extraordinary 5-2 win over Adelaide.

Western Sydney’s Simon Cox celebrates scoring against Adelaide at Bankwest Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

Battered Western Sydney captain Mitch Duke scored twice as Western Sydney ended their home drought with a 5-2 win over Adelaide in an extraordinary A-League match at Bankwest Stadium on Friday night.

The drama carried over from the frenetic final minutes of their most recent encounter at Coopers Stadium the end of December, when Adelaide were awarded two late penalties, with the Wanderers holding on to win 3-2 after George Blackwood missed the second of his spot kicks.

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The Wanderers opened the scoring at Bankwest, then trailed 2-1 before scoring three goals to lead 4-2 at the end of an stunning first half that produced 25 shots, 19 of them from the hosts.

Irish striker Simon Cox scored the only goal of the second half when he skilfully slotted the ball home in the 73rd minute after his initial attempt was blocked by goalkeeper Paul Izzo.

It was the Wanderers’ first home win in seven games since their derby victory over Sydney FC on October 26.

They moved to within four points of sixth-placed Brisbane while Adelaide dropped a spot to fifth after Wellington’s win over Western United earlier on Friday.

The early goalscoring glut started in the fifth minute when Pirmin Schwegler’s free kick from outside the penalty area deflected off Louis D’Arrigo, giving Izzo no chance.

The goal came after a lengthy stoppage while Duke received treatment for a facial cut after he was elbowed by D’Arrigo, who was booked following the incident.

As was the case last week against Newcastle, the Wanderers had more chances to build on an early goal, with the outstanding Bruce Kamau and Cox going close before they surrendered the initiative.

In-form forward Ben Halloran was instrumental in Adelaide’s fightback, which netted two goals in nine minutes.

He won a penalty converted by Riley McGree after being fouled by Daniel Georgievski, and then bagged his fifth goal in the last six games with a fine right-footed shot from just outside the area.

Adelaide’s lead lasted just three minutes as Nikolai Muller tapped in from close range after marauding wingback Kamau’s shot came off Izzo’s legs.

It was then Duke’s turn to shine with two fine strikes, though Adelaide coach Gertjan Verbeek would query the room the Wanderers captain was allowed for both.

Duke pounced on a flick from Cox to lash the ball past Izzo and then powered a header home from a perfectly judged cross from Schwegler, before being substituted in the second half with a hip injury.

Adelaide created several second half chances but could not bridge the gap.

AAP