Adelaide United leapfrogged Brisbane Roar into second place with a 3-0 win over their title rivals on Saturday, while a late equaliser for Sydney FC broke Melbourne Victory hearts as they remain neck and neck in the A-League table.
Emerging star Bruce Kamau struck again for Adelaide, finding the back of the net with a crisp first-time strike in the 38th minute, following some slick build up play by his teammates Stefan Mauk and Sergio Cirio.
Kenyan-born Kamau was also a pivotal in Adelaide's second goal, after charging towards the 18 yard-box before blasting a low drive at goal. Roar goalkeeper Theo failed to parry the shot and Djite pounced on the scraps to score from close range and delight the 12,000-strong home crowd.
Theo could do little about Adelaide's third: in the 81st minute, He did well to save a Djite shot after Brisbane's Javier Hervas inexplicably lost his side control with a weak back pass, but the rebound fell kindly to Sanchez who converted from close range. Brisbane, worringly, are now winless in their past three games.
In the night's other game, David Carney has rescued his 10-man Sydney FC side, finding a late equaliser to deny Melbourne Victory a priceless win at AAMI Park.
Just after half time, Kosta Barbarouses scored for the home side after picking up the ball on the right hand side of the box, cutting back inside and shooting with his left to beat Vedran Janjetovic at his near post.
76' GOALLLLLLLLL!!!!!!! Carney restores parity!!!!! 1-1 #SydneyIsSkyBlue #BigBlue pic.twitter.com/l5rvkW2X0i
- Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) February 27, 2016
With 27 minutes to go, things went from bad to worse for Sydney after defender Jacques Faty was given his marching orders for a clumsy grab on Besart Berisha after the Albanian was played through on goal.
Despite the seemingly impossible mountain they had to climb, Sydney continued to battle and with 75 minutes on the clock, their bravery was rewarded.
Recent acquisition David Carney was sent forward down the left, producing a mazing run to beat Leigh Broxham and Thomas Deng before his sweet left-footed strike hit the back of the net. An entertaining mid-table clash, but Victory, a goal and a man up, will be disappointed with themselves after wasting an opportunity to climb the table.