Sydney is sky blue again after Max Burgess scored a quick opening goal that helped Sydney FC defeat a 10-man Western Sydney Wanderers side, 1-0.
As expected, the 33rd instalment of the Sydney Derby began with both sides throwing themselves into every challenge.
In the opening 10 minutes, Sydney FC controlled the most possession and registered the only shot on goal.
After a lively start, Burgess broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when he capitalised on a short clearance and scored a powerfully driven shot from outside the box.
The Wanderers nearly found a rapid equaliser, but Brandon Borello’s ambitious volley flew inches away from the crossbar.
Unfortunately for Western Sydney, the road back became even harder when their captain, Marcelo, went down due to an apparent groin injury and got subbed off for debutant Thomas Beadling.
Despite losing their skipper, the Wanderers continued pushing forward towards the end of the first half.
Western Sydney forward Yeni N’Gbakoto had a golden opportunity to level the scoreline when he latched onto Adama Traore’s cross inside the penalty area.
Although he placed his shot on target, Sky Blues ‘keeper, Andrew Redmayne, stretched to his left and denied the DR Congo international.
Before the end of the first half, Sydney FC had injury issues of their own when Adam Le Fondre was forced off the pitch and replaced by Patrick Wood due to a hamstring concern.
In the final 15 minutes of the opening half, the Wanderers had 70% possession but could not translate that success into a goal, allowing Sydney FC to take a 1-0 lead into the break.
Sky Blue midfielder, Joe Lolley, shook off a knock in the first 45 minutes and began creating issues for the Western Sydney defence to start the second half.
Looking to make an impact off the bench, Wood continued the momentum generated by Lolley and nearly increased his side’s lead, but his shot from a dangerous position sailed narrowly wide.
Perhaps the biggest entrance of the night came when former Sky Blue midfielder, Milos Ninkovic, entered the pitch to a mixed reaction against his old side in the 59th minute.
As the tension grew following Ninkovic’s arrival, a VAR check showed N’Gbakoto hitting Sydney FC’s Paulo Retre with a raised hand.
After reviewing the footage, referee Adam Kersey sent the Wanderers forward off, leaving Western Sydney down a player from the 62nd-minute mark.
Despite the 10-man disadvantage, Western Sydney thought they had levelled the scores when Beadling smashed a close-range volley into the back of the net.
Unfortunately for the Wanderers, a VAR check ruled for offside, and Sydney FC had their 1-0 lead restored.
Western Sydney kept striving for a late equaliser, but the Sky Blues held their nerve to defeat their bitter rivals 1-0.
Key Takeaways
Both sides suffer key injuries
Early in the contest, Western Sydney captain Marcelo came off the pitch hurt, and later in the first half, Sydney FC’s star striker Adam Le Fondre followed him down the tunnel due to a hamstring injury.
Marcelo and Le Fondre have contributed significantly to their club’s success this season.
The Wanderers skipper has helped his team keep an equal league-leading six clean sheets, while Le Fondre has scored a team-high six goals for the Sky Blues.
Each team will be hoping their star men can make a swift return as we approach the back end of the season.
Wanderers finish a man down
Yeni N’Gbakoto’s red card was a major turning point. The Wanderers enjoyed a solid amount of possession before going down to 10 men.
Although Sydney FC finished the game with 42% possession, they used the advantage to control their cross-town rivals for the final 34 minutes of the derby.
Western Sydney will wonder what may have happened if they did not spend most of the second half down a player.
Wilkinson returns to keep Sydney’s defence impenetrable
Sydney skipper, Alex Wilkinson, made his comeback in triumphant fashion, helping the Sky Blues claim their first clean sheet in five games.
Wilkinson’s experience was on full display in Saturday’s high-stakes derby and enabled his side to defend with urgency until the final whistle.
The Sky Blues will hope their captain’s return can lead to more clean sheets in the coming weeks.
Final Score
Western Sydney: 0
Sydney FC: 1 (Burgess 16′)
Image Credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
