Western United hand Western Sydney Wanderers first A-League loss

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:19 am

Western United continued their fine start to the A-League season, ending Western Sydney Wanderers' undefeated run with a 2-1 comeback victory in front of 4,588 at GMHBA Stadium.

After Mitchell Duke opened the scoring for the Wanderers, United hit back through Andrew Durante and Kwabena Appiah-Kubi to jump into second on the table on goal difference, but had their first home win soured by an injury to marquee Panagiotis Kone.

For the first time all season, United fielded a different starting line-up, with Besart Berisha rested and Appiah-Kubi making his first start, while the Wanderers handed a debut to German recruit Nicolai Muller.

Western United hadn't won in their first two games at home and their third attempt got off to a less-than auspicious start, with the visitors taking the lead less than six minutes in. Muller found Daniel Georgievski who cut inside, had one attempted pass blocked but persevered and slid the ball to Duke. The Wanderers skipper sent a first-time strike past Filip Kurto, with the ball nestling in the opposite bottom corner of the net.

But their joy was short-lived. On 13 minutes, Alessandro Diamanti looped a corner to the back post, with defender Durante rising highest, leaping over Georgievski to head home. United's first half recovery was soured by Kone's injury. The Greek international sat down on the turf and was immediately replaced by defender Aaron Calver in the 22nd minute, with centre-back Connor Chapman shifted into midfield.

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In the 48th minute, United appealed for a goal when Scott McDonald met Diamanti's cross, with his header saved by Daniel Lopar. There was a lengthy VAR review to determine whether the ball had crossed the line - McDonald had immediately appealed for a goal -- but after reviewing the footage, referee Alex King upheld his original decision.

United quickly responded to their disappointment, snatching the lead 10 minutes later. Diamanti turned near the corner of the 18-yard box and powered the ball to the feet of Appiah-Kubi, who took a touch around Patrick Ziegler and caressed a low shot past Lopar for the winner.