A second-half Anas Ouahim masterclass has set up a 4-2 A-League Men win over Western Sydney to help Sydney FC remain the top team in the Harbour City.
German midfielder Ouahim notched a goal and two assists off the bench to help the Sky Blues conquer their rivals in a thrilling Unite Round clash in front of 30,777 fans at Allianz Stadium.
With scores level, Ouahim first set up Jordan Courtney-Perkins with a classy free kick in the 48th minute to help launch his side ahead on Saturday night.
Joe Lolley celebrates his goal with a golf swing.Credit: Getty Images
A poor tackle by Anthony Pantazopoulos on Sydney captain Rhyan Grant in the penalty area then opened the door for Ouahim to pile on the pain in the 54th.
Marcus Antonsson breathed some life into the Wanderers heading home a corner in the 78th but Sky Blues sharpshooter Patryk Klimala’s goal five minutes later crushed the comeback.
Sydney youngster Jaiden Kucharski found the back of the net in added time, but it was overturned after Tiago Quintal was found to have fouled Jack Glisby in the lead-up.
The Sky Blues can finish in the top six by the end of the round, with three wins and two draws. Meanwhile, the Wanderers (four points) remain tenth after suffering their fourth-straight derby defeat.
Joe Lolley announced his return from a groin injury by nabbing the opening goal in the 33rd minute.
Young midfielder Adrian Segecic had outpaced 194cm-tall Wanderers defender Jeong Tae-Wook to set up Klimala.
The Polish striker’s attempt was snuffed out but the rebound landed favourably for Lolley, who slotted easily.
Lolley celebrated with a golf swing, cheekily alluding to the shared golfing session with Wanderers rivals Juan Mata and Antonsson in the lead-up to the match.
Players involved in the golf catch-up, including Courtney-Perkins and former Sydney captain Luke Brattan, had been accused of not taking the derby seriously.
But the two sides proved their on-field passion late in the first half after Socceroos striker Brandon Borrello fouled Leo Sena.
Goaded on by Borrello, Douglas Costa responded by pushing his opponent to ground, sparking the skirmish, and both were shown yellow cards.
Wanderers marquee star Juan Mata.Credit: Getty Images
Costa was also returning from injury, playing in his second-ever ALM game after picking up a hamstring issue following round one.
Zach Sapsford, still sporting a protective mask, then levelled the scores three minutes into first-half added time courtesy of a classy pass from Nicolas Milanovic.
The Wanderers were determined to make the most of Sapsford’s goal but Ouahim, joining the fray in place of Costa at the start of the second half, had other plans.
Substitute Antonsson had fumbled what would’ve been a massive opportunity for the Wanderers after intercepting Borello’s pass meant for Mata.
The Spaniard, also a substitute, was in prime position to strike in the 65th minute but Antonsson misread the situation, handing off to Aydan Hammond - who failed to score.