- Adam Le Fondre - 27', 45'+4'
Adam Le Fondre's brace sends Sydney FC to the top of the A-League table
Sydney FC have marched to the top of the A-League table with a resounding 2-0 win over Western United at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday.
Adam Le Fondre struck twice in the first half to condemn Mark Rudan's side to their third consecutive loss and send the Sky Blues two points clear of Melbourne City.
Sydney's day was made difficult before it had even begun, with Milos Ninkovic ruled out before kick-off through illness and Anthony Caceres replacing him in the starting line-up.
Western United benched striker Besart Berisha in favour of fellow veteran Scott McDonald.
While Western United started the brighter of the two teams, the Sky Blues absorbed the pressure, got back on level footing and opened the scoring in the 27th minute through star striker Le Fondre.
Midfielder Alexander Baumjohann looped a potent corner kick to the back post where Englishman Le Fondre comfortably saw off Connor Chapman and headed home.
United's best chance of the half came when Dario Jertec tried his luck from distance in the second minute of added time but saw his shot go skidding past the post to safety.
Two minutes later, Brandon O'Neill played through Baumjohann down the right hand side, with the German cutting the ball back for Le Fondre, who buried his second goal to strike a hammer blow to the hosts on the stroke of half-time.
United largely looked toothless and in worrying signs were unable to find the back of the next for the third consecutive week, with Greece international Panagiotis Kone forcing a rare save from Andrew Redmayne in the 84th minute, while Dylan Pierias had a shot blocked three minutes later.
While Sydney were unable to increase their lead, they held firm defensively for a well-worked 2-0 win and a sixth triumph from seven matches.
Game Information
Australian A-League Men Standings
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland FC | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | +6 | 12 |
| Wellington Phoenix FC | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | +4 | 10 |
| Melbourne Victory | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | +4 | 10 |
| Adelaide United | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | +3 | 10 |
| Melbourne City FC | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | +5 | 9 |
| Sydney FC | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | +2 | 9 |
| Macarthur FC | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | +3 | 6 |
| Central Coast Mariners | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | -2 | 6 |
| Western United | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Western Sydney Wanderers | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -1 | 4 |
| Newcastle Jets | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -4 | 3 |
| Perth Glory | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | -14 | 1 |
| Brisbane Roar | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -6 | 0 |
A-League Men News