Perth Glory edge closer to Premiers Plate after Sydney derby ends in draw

Sydney FC's chances of catching A-League leaders Perth almost certainly ended after being held 1-1 by local rivals Western Sydney at ANZ Stadium.

The result moves second-placed Sydney to within five points of the Glory, who will clinch the Premiers Plate if they beat Newcastle on Sunday at home.

The Sky Blues took the lead on Saturday night in the seventh minute when skipper Alex Brosque pounced on a through ball from Anthony Caceres and fired a superb shot home from the edge of the area. It was Brosque's sixth derby goal, but he collected a heel injury in the follow through from the shot and had no further impact before being replaced at half time.

The Wanderers equalised 12 minutes into the second half when Alexander Baumjohann's free-kick from just outside the penalty area deflected off Sydney striker Adam Le Fondre into the net.

Wanderers, winning just one of their past 17 league and cup Sydney derbies, created most of the clear-cut chances in the game, although the Sky Blues had a good share of play and some opportunities near the end of a typically frantic derby. The best chance to break the deadlock came when unmarked Wanderers striker Oriel Riera headed against a post from five metres out, while Raul Llorente and Giancarlo Gallifuoco also went close for the home side. In stoppage time, Vedran Janjetovic tipped away a fine Le Fondre strike, and substitute Reza Ghoochannejhad and Aaron Calver also had good chances earlier for the visitors.

After Brosque's goal, almost all of the first-half chances fell to the Wanderers' Mitch Duke, with set-piece specialist Baumjohann the architect on most occasions. Duke had two shots saved by Andrew Redmayne, another blocked by Josh Brillante and he also headed wide. Brillante was just off target with a powerful long-range shot early in the second half, but the Wanderers again created the better chances against a Sydney side backing up three days after an Asian Champions League game.

Riera's miss apart, Llorente had a shot pushed away by Redmayne, who also saved an attempt from substitute Gallifuoco.

Western Sydney had Keanu Baccus, Bruce Kamau and Llorente all booked in as many minutes early in the game.