Catch up on all the highlights from the Isuzu UTE A-League clash between the Western Sydney Wanderers and Macarthur Bulls.
A remarkable goal from Gabriel Cleur sealed a thrilling come-from-behind victory for Western Sydney, who triumphed over local rivals Macarthur Bulls 2-1 at CommBank Stadium.
After a tightly contested first half, it was the Bulls who broke the deadlock early in the second half. Defender Anthony Pantazopoulos inadvertently guided the ball into his own net following a header from Harrison Sawyer.
Despite squandering several good opportunities, the Wanderers finally equalised in the 67th minute, with Nicolas Milanovic netting his seventh goal of the season, bringing the score to 1-1.
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With the scores level, the Wanderers took the lead in the 77th minute in spectacular fashion. Defender Gabriel Cleur unleashed a stunning half-volley from the edge of the box, sending the ball soaring into the top corner.
This result keeps the Wanderers in eighth position on the ladder, but importantly, they are now level on points with sixth-placed Sydney FC.
For Macarthur, this defeat means they remain outside the finals positions but also level on points with Sydney FC.
Bulls defender Kevin Boli made his first-ever Isuzu UTE A-League appearance and nearly scored with a spectacular scissor kick, only to see it blocked on the line by Alex Bonetig, with goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas smothering the rebound.
The home side nearly took the lead in the 14th minute when Pantazopoulos glanced a header just wide of the far post after executing a well-crafted set-piece.
With the Bulls attempting to leverage the aerial threat of Sawyer, Jakolis seized an opportunity from the big forward’s knockdown but struck his shot over the crossbar. Moments later, the Wanderers squandered a golden chance at the other end.
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Receiving a well-timed pass from Borrello, Bozhidar Kraev shaped to curl a low shot towards the far post, narrowly missing the target and leaving Milanovic frustrated as he called for a squared pass for a simple tap-in.
Having assisted Kraev, Borrello was soon sent through on goal by Sapsford, but the Socceroo’s effort was expertly saved by Bulls keeper Filip Kurto.
Macarthur felt they were denied a penalty in the 34th minute when Sawyer appeared to be fouled in the box during a tussle with Pantazopoulos. Despite replays showing the defender’s shirt tugging, referee Alireza Faghani waved play on.
Sapsford then had a curling effort from outside the box deflected away by the ever-reliable Kurto as the home side sought to break the deadlock before halftime.
Intent on ramping up the pressure at the start of the second half, the Wanderers saw Jack Clisby’s powerful low shot well saved, but it was the Bulls who would eventually take the lead.
After outpacing Josh Brillante down the right, Jakolis delivered a cross to Sawyer, whose header wasn’t on target but deflected off the thigh of Pantazopoulos, leading to an unfortunate own goal.
Looking to respond immediately, Sapsford missed a golden opportunity to equalise, blasting the ball well over the crossbar without troubling Kurto.
Utilising his size effectively, Sawyer thought he had scored his first Isuzu UTE A-League goal with a well-placed header towards the bottom corner, but Thomas produced a remarkable save to deny him.
The Wanderers, however, found their equaliser through the prolific Milanovic in the 67th minute. A lofted ball from Cleur played him in, and he calmly slotted it past the advancing Kurto. Initially ruled offside, replays revealed the 23-year-old was level with the defensive line, allowing the Wanderers to level the scores.
Having assisted in the equalising goal, Cleur struck again in the 77th minute, unleashing a ferocious 25-metre half-volley that rocketed beyond Kurto into the back of the net.
In search of a late equaliser, Bulls forward Sawyer squandered two chances as the visiting side desperately pressed against a resolute Wanderers defence.
The Wanderers had a glorious opportunity to seal the victory in stoppage time, but Aydan Hammond pulled his shot wide after breaking through on goal against Kurto.
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