Glory shine as A-League contenders falter
Perth's detractors are still waiting for the Glory's wheels to fall off, but Kenny Lowe's men continue to impress while A-League rivals around them fell over on the weekend.
The Glory extended their lead at the top of the ladder to six points after a Chris Harold double and a Danny De Silva wonder goal helped them to a 4-1 win over the Central Coast.
Meanwhile, their fellow top four sides all suffered losses during round 11.
De Silva's strike has been labelled a contender for goal of the year and his performance only firmed his chances of Asian Cup selection, however most importantly it widened his side's buffer over the Victory.
The win was a bright spot in a drama-filled week for the Glory after the FFA launched an investigation into salary cap breach allegations and they lost Tuesday's FFA Cup final to Adelaide.
The game's governing body wants answers after Perth were accused of failing to declare player-agent fees, player accommodation allowances and motor vehicle costs between 2010-14.
The Glory said the claims were made up by a disgruntled former employee and the playing group did well to keep their minds on the job against Central Coast.
It was also a timely three points after hours earlier Melbourne City stole the win from the Victory with an Erik Paartalu header in the last minute.
As well as denying Kevin Muscat's men any points, it lifted City into the top six and eased pressure on coach John van 't Schip.
Adelaide blew their chance to move into the top two when Newcastle stunned them 1-0 in the Jets' first win of the season.
Josep Gombau's team looked flat playing just three days after their FFA Cup final win.
Then on Sunday, Sydney FC failed to capitalise on their chances as Nathan Burns slotted a double to lead his team to a 2-0 win.
The result saw the Phoenix jump Sydney FC into the top four and led Graham Arnold to label the New Zealanders as title contenders.
"(Phoenix coach) Ernie (Merrick) has recruited very well, he's recruited athletes that can run for 120 minutes," Arnold said.
"He's recruited technically very good footballers that can keep the ball and play to kill a pass.
"Then he's recruited some pace up front and they're always dangerous on the break and dangerous in behind. That showed today."
Merrick said he went to Allianz Stadium hoping to prove a point - not to the rest of the competition - but to his troops.
Before the match, the Phoenix had lost all three of their away matches against top-four sides - Perth, Victory and Adelaide - this season.
While he did not want to talk up his side's championship chances, he called it an important moment in their season.
"We talked about that every time we play a team above us on the ladder away from home we've got nothing from it," Merrick said.
"This was a day when we had to turn that around.
"I didn't feel today was about fitness and skill, today was about confidence away from home and that confidence came through in the second half."
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