1. Adelaide United (1)
Adelaide United continued their amazing run of form with a 3-2 away win to the Mariners. United recovered well after falling behind to a Fabio Ferreira goal just after the half hour mark, but it did take them until the 53rd minute to draw level. A goal ten-or-so minutes later put them in front, and despite the Mariners best efforts, the game always looked like it was Adelaide's to lose. A stoppage time goal to Stefan Mauk put the game well beyond doubt, although the Mariners were able to grab a second before the final whistle. United dominated all the attacking stats and banked a deserved three points on their travels.
2. Brisbane Roar (2)
Brisbane's 2-2 draw with Newcastle may have been disappointing given each team's ladder position, but it was not enough to secure top spot heading into round 20. After trailing 2-1 to their visitors at half time, the Roar didn't exactly breathe the fire expected of a premiership hopeful but did do enough to force an own goal to earn a point. Considering they were ahead inside ten minutes, fans could have been forgiven for expecting a rout similar to the Roar's destruction of Newcastle's neighbours the Mariners but it was not to be. The Roar had their chances but ran into a determined Jets side.
3. Perth Glory (5)
Four straight wins, and five games without a loss, have the Glory just one big win outside of the top six. Keogh's opening goal came due to a Sydney FC keeping error, but the Republic of Ireland international was in the right position to benefit. Harold continued his amazing run of goals, with his fifth in five, taking the visiting Glory to a 2-0 lead. Amazingly the Glory defence only allowed one shot on goal across 90 minutes, but unfortunately it lead to a Shane Smeltz goal. Despite the goal, the Glory were able to hang on for a deserved win, their third straight away from the Perth capital.
4. Melbourne City (4)
City were fortunate to capture a point from the latest Melbourne derby after the Victory were denied a late winner, but will be happy that the point keeps them ahead of their rivals on goal difference. Bruno Fornaroli, who just cannot stop scoring, added two crucial goals to his season tally, twice putting his side ahead on Saturday night. All the post-match discussion will involve the refereeing error, but Fornaroli's goal was scintillating. Once again Aaron Mooy was involved in everything going forward for City, who retain ladder bragging rights due to their ability to knock in big goal tallies when they're playing well.
5. Western Sydney Wanderers (3)
The Wanderers were absolutely pantsed in front of their own fans in a huge way by a Blake Powell inspired Phoenix outfit. A Mitch Nichols thunderbolt and a clever finish from Mark Bridge took some of the pain away from the loss, but this was far from the Wanderers finest hour. They were missing a fair few players through injury and suspension, but the way Powell had a hat-trick in just over half an hour will have Tony Popovic worried, especially with a derby coming at the end of the week. Jonathan Aspropotamitis was sent off late, which just added pain to a horrible day at Wanderland.
6. Melbourne Victory (7)
The Victory were denied a goal that would have likely seen them defeat their Melbourne rivals, but they can take great pride in having twice fought back to level after falling behind. Goals from Fahid Ben Khalfallah and Gui Finkler cancelled out two goals from Fornaroli, but it will be the disallowed goal that will dominate headlines. The Victory bossed possession, earning almost 66% possession, and although those stats can be deceiving, the Victory used the ball well. They created more chances than City, including six on target to their opposition's four. On another day they could have wrapped up three points that would have lifted them above City.
7. Sydney FC (6)
Sydney FC's hold on a spot within the top six continues to slip as their form continues to falter. Unfortunately for fans of the sky blue, their latest performance was less than spectacular, especially as they head into a season-defining derby game. Shane Smeltz's late goal made for an interesting final ten or so minutes, but for the large majority of the game Sydney FC were second best. On the plus side Sydney did manage almost 65% possession, which on another day would lead to more chances than the six they created. Also a positive is that their one goal came from a single shot on target.
8. Newcastle Jets (8)
The Jets continue their mini revival following a huge win over Melbourne City, capturing a point away to the high flying Roar. Unfortunately for the Newcastle side, they fell one-nil down inside ten minutes, with the Roar looking in the mood for more. A brilliant first-half fightback saw the Jets enter halftime with a one-goal advantage, which was pinned back via an own goal. The Jets are a long, long way from finals football, but they have shown more in the past fortnight than they had for many weeks prior. Hopefully for the fans in the Hunter they can continue to show such fight, even if aforementioned finals football looks beyond them.
9. Wellington Phoenix (10)
Although a side who went winless in nine fixtures shouldn't be too excited about a victory, a 5-2 win away to the table-topping Wanderers is a brilliant way to end a winless drought. They may be nine points, as well as a huge goal differential, outside the finals positions, but if this win doesn't provide them the kick start they need, then nothing will. Blake Powell was electric, scoring four goals against a usually stingy Wanderers backline. Incredibly the Phoenix scored with each of their five shots on goal, which of course included Powell's first half hat-trick. Powell joins the likes of Alessandro Del Piero, Besart Berisha, Shane Smeltz and Archie Thompson as those who have scored four goals in an A-League fixture.
10. Central Coast Mariners (9)
The Mariners played some good football against a very in-form Adelaide side, yet came away with nothing in terms of competition points. Fabio Ferreira put the home side ahead on the half hour, a lead they held until the break. The Mariners conceded three second half goals before pinning one back once the game was gone. Incredibly they could have stolen a point in a frantic stoppage time, but to be truthful the result represented the game over all. I can't help but think what could have been for the Mariners had Ferreira not been injured for so long. He, along with the signing of Garcia, has made a big difference since his return.
