Western Sydney Wanderers beat Central Coast Mariners to go top

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:06 am
Brendon Santalab celebrates his late winner for Western Sydney Wanderers.
Ashley Feder/Getty Images

Brendon Santalab's 88th-minute goal saw Western Sydney Wanderers beat 10-man Central Coast Mariners to move top of the A-League and spoil the debut of ex-Liverpool star Luis Garcia.

The Wanderers took the lead on 11 minutes when Mark Bridge seized on a sloppy pass from Storm Roux.

The hosts hit back on 67 minutes, shortly after former Spain international Garcia came off the bench for his debut. The 2005 Champions League winner sparked the move that led Fabio Ferreira to turn home after Josh Bingham had seen a shot saved.

However, the Mariners task was complicated by a straight red card for captain Nick Montgomery on 79 minutes when he made a studs-up challenge on Golgol Mebrahtu.

They resisted for less than 10 minutes before falling behind to a Santalab tap-in after another defensive mistake, which saw the Wanderers move two points clear at the top of the standings.

The home crowd of more than 13,000 -- the largest of the season at Central Coast Stadium for the A-League's bottom club -- went home disappointed but impressed by 37-year-old Garcia's cameo off the bench.