Perth Glory have extended their lead at the top of the Hyundai A-League table to seven points, defeating Melbourne Victory 2-1 at Geelong’s Simonds Stadium.
Andy Keogh and Chris Harold gifted Kenny Lowe’s side an early lead with Besart Berisha converting from the spot in the second half.
The visitors capitalised on a host of defensive errors to take a 2-0 lead inside fifteen minutes – Keogh first to score in the 9th minute.
The Irishman was allowed a route to goal following a mistimed defensive header by Adrian Leijer, finding the back of the net via Nathan Coe’s outstretched palm.
Harold was next on the scoresheet only five minutes later.
A superb run and quick turn of speed saw the winger beat the onrushing Coe to Nebojsa Marinkovic’s pass, rounding the ‘keeper before cooling slotting the ball into an open net.
Glory’s Danny Vukovic then denied Melbourne an avenue back into the game only moments after Perth’s second, executing a sensational save to deny Archie Thompson inside the penalty area.
Melbourne retained the ascendancy for the remainder of the first half.
An excellent combination between Giu Finkler, Berisha and Thompson saw the latter in-behind Glory’s defence, only for the veteran forward to shoot wide of Vukovic’s upright to the assistant’s raised flag.
Melbourne were then rewarded for its persistence, pulling one back from the spot via Besart Berisha after the break.
Finkler earned the penalty following a piece of trickery by Leigh Broxham with Scott Jamison pulling the Brazilian down, lucky not to be sent off for a second yellow card in the process.
The hosts squandered a great opportunity to equalise soon after.
Berisha and Kosta Barbarouses both scuffed their lines following a scrappy display of attack and desperate defending in the penalty area.
Thompson was next to try his luck as he came agonisingly close to an equaliser.
With just over fifteen minutes to play, Thompson directed Nick Ansell’s flick on onto Vukovic’s crossbar at the back post after Finkler’s in- swinging corner
A bursting run forward by Berisha saw Melbourne edge just wide of an elusive equaliser with the Albanian striking the side netting with less then five minutes remaining.
The result sees Kevin Muscat’s side succumb to its second defeat of the season while Perth Glory move to seven points clear of second place.
Melbourne Victory 1 (Berisha (p) 58′) defeated by Perth Glory (Keogh 9′, Harold 16′) 2 at AAMI Park
Melbourne Victory: 1. Nathan Coe (GK), 2. Jason Geria, 4. Nick Ansell, 6. Leigh Broxham, 7. Gui Finkler 61’, 8. Besart Berisha, 9. Kosta Barbarouses (11. Connor Pain 69′), 10. Archie Thompson, 21. Carl Valeri, 23. Adrian Leijer, Scott Galloway
Unused Substitutes: 20. Lawrence Thomas, 13. Andrew Nabbout, 18. Dylan Murnane, 22. Jesse Makarounas
Yellow Cards: Valeri 55′, Leijer 82′, Geria 83′
Red Cards: None
Perth Glory: 1. Danny Vukovic (GK), 5. Rostyn Griffiths, 6. Dino Djulbic, 8. Ruben Zadkovich, 9. Andy Keogh (16. Sidnei Sciola 90+’), 10. Nebojsa Marinkovic (2. Jack Clisby 90+’), 11. Richard Garcia, 14. Chris Harold (15. Jamie Maclaren 64′), 19. Josh Risdon, 21. Scott Jamieson, 23. Michael Thwaite
Unused Subs: 18. Jack Duncan (GK), 22. Cameron Edwards
Yellow Cards: Risdon 19′, Jamieson 29′, Zadkovich 52′
Red Cards: None