Football
Chris Pike 5y

Glory go nine points clear in A-League

Perth Glory have shot nine points clear on top of the A-League after a dominant 4-0 home victory over a Brisbane Roar that didn't give a yelp.

It was a fourth straight win for Glory who have won 14 from 19 games this season for 46 points - nine ahead of the second placed Melbourne Victory.

They found little resistance from Brisbane at HBF Park on Saturday night despite the Roar improving in recent weeks.

Since a 5-0 loss to Victory, Brisbane had beaten Sydney FC, drawn with Western Sydney and Central Coast, and lost in a seven-goal thriller to Adelaide.

But this was a Roar devoid of fight and admittedly down on personnel headlined by the absence of striker Adam Taggart and suspended goalkeeper Jamie Young.

Glory took another significant step towards their first Premiers' Plate with the big win that was all set up with a commanding first half.

They were in control of the contest and it was inevitable their first goal came, which was a crisp strike from Jason Davidson in the 19th minute.

Then with his first touch of the game having come on to replace Ivan Franjic, Scott Neville put a cross right on point for Andy Keogh to head home.

Keogh added a second just on halftime, albeit controversially. He appeared offside when receiving the pass to tap in from Diego Castro, but it was given the all clear and Perth went in 3-0 up.

There was more Castro magic to start the second half when he coolly scored after a good cross into the box from Davidson in the 54th minute to make it 4-0.

Glory continued to attack and created a host more chances. While they couldn't capitalise to further ram home their dominance, the 4-0 scoreline sufficiently told the story of their control of the contest.

Glory coach Tony Popovic couldn't fault his team's performance while he knows a tough period awaits with three straight road games.

"I'm delighted with the result and the performance. In some aspects I thought the second half was better than the first although we got three goals in the first," Popovic said.

"We were very professional in the second half and we didn't give any chance to Brisbane. And at the other end, their young 'keeper made some great saves and it could have been a lot more."

Roar coach Darren Davies was at least happy his team kept fighting, but the goals they conceded were done so too easily.

"Disappointment is the emotion first and foremost," Davies said.

"I thought that for 20 minutes we were in the game and we had the first clear chance but then Perth came into it.

"They caused us problems, (Chris) Ikonomidis was good for them and we conceded poor goals from our point of view. But let's give Perth credit, they are a very good side and are top of the league for a reason."

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