Victory defy Glory
Carlos Hernandez had a hand in both of Melbourne's goals as it broke its Perth hoodoo with a 2-1 defeat of the Glory at ME Bank Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
On a windy afternoon, the reigning Hyundai A-League premiers were in no mood to lose their fifth consecutive game in the Western Australian capital, showing their intent in the sixth minute as Hernandez fired them ahead.
Despite being without striker Branko Jelic, a late withdrawal with a virus, the Glory refused to be bowed, drawing level through a spectacular Mile Sterjovski strike in the 19th minute.
Perth upped the intensity and should have gone ahead through a series of attacks just before the break that were miraculously saved by some desperate Melbourne defence.
But having weathered the storm, Melbourne responded in fine style 23 minutes from time, as Hernandez slid in to meet a powerful cross from Victory substitute Nathan Elasi, slipping the ball home to end Perth's unbeaten record at ME Bank Stadium this season.
The result sees Melbourne maintain the pressure on table-topping Sydney. The Victory may remain in second position following their sixth win from the last seven games, but are just one point behind Sydney, as the Glory slip to fifth by the end of this round and have now lost three matches on the trot.
Sydney FC has maintained its grip on top spot of the ladder with an entertaining 3-1 win over Wellington Phoenix at the SFS.
Three goals in a 20-minute first-half burst blew away the visitors with Mark Bridge's double and a Steve Corica strike doing the damage.
Phoenix managed a late goal with 10 minutes left through young substitute Costa Barbarouses to give the visitor a consolation goal.
A second half penalty save by Sydney FC glovesman Clint Bolton off a retaken spot-kick by Daniel further compounded Phoenix's misery.
Man of the match was Alex Brosque who racked up a hat-trick of assists and his pace was a constant thorn in the side of the Phoenix defence.
In the only Westfield W-League game, Sydney FC thrashed Adelaide United 6-0.
In the National Youth League Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory fought out a 0-0 draw, Gold Coast United defeated the AIS 2-1 and the Central Coast Mariners snatched a 2-1 win over Adelaide United.