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A-LEAGUE PRESS REWIND - ROUND 10: Aston Villa striker McCormack shines; Sydney FC dominate WSW; Milligan's stunner for Victory;

Just in case you missed it, here is everything of importance from the A-League Round 10 in Tribalfootball's Press Rewind.


The Good

Ross McCormack has scored in his third successive game to help Melbourne City to 1-0 win over the Central Coast Mariners this Sunday.

The goal was a fabulous team effort, which started when goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis kicked a brilliant cross-field pass to Luke Brattan, who then made his way into the area, before teeing up McCormack to slot home.

Watch the goal below, courtesy on Football Score:

Although this was McCormack's first goal in open play this season, his season tally is now up to seven.

This has him not only in the Golden Boot race, but leading it, along with Newcastle Jets' Roy O'Donovan and Wellington Phoenix Andrija Kaluderovic, who are also on seven goals for the season.

With this win, Melbourne City consolidated their spot in third place on the ladder. City next play away to league leaders, Sydney FC, on Friday where McCormack will be hoping to add to his goal tally.

Mikaela Pratt



The Bad

The hopes and dreams of Perth Glory supporters

It's horribly painful being a football fan sometimes.

With a handful of minutes to go, Perth fans would have been wildly ecstatic to have seemingly wrapped up 3 points against a fiercely inform Newcastle Jets unit.

They couldn't have their hearts broken from here could they? Alas, it's a cruel game at times.

With two extremely late goals, including an own goal, being put away against them, a devastated Glory walked away from the match empty handed.

Although it's got to hurt, it's good to highlight that things aren't all bad for Perth fans. A goal from a 21-year-old forward Joe Knowles, two teenagers coming off the bench, and more minutes into 16-year-old Jacob Italiano are all fantastic signs. In a league crying out for talented youth, there is plenty to be excited about over in West Australia.

Chin up, my Glory friends.

Brodie Cowburn



The Ugly

In short, the Sydney Derby.

It was fantastic for Sydney FC, who look on track for back to back successes this season. But hideous for Western Sydney and neutral fans (who are we kidding, are there neutrals out there actually watching this season?)

In any case, a 5-0 derby beating, their biggest A-League loss in history, is no way to go about your business. Having players out of position and giving youngsters their debut in a derby is a rookie mistake. I'm all for blooding new players, but when the circumstances are right, not when you're playing your biggest rivals who seem unstoppable.

Let's get one thing straight, when Gombau gets his team playing the way he likes, they look fantastic. If there's a quality coach out there, it's him. But it seems as though Western Sydney may or may not have to wait until next season to see his style come to full fruition.

Gombau took full responsibility for the loss, something you don't often see these days, but they've lost 3 of the last 4 and scored once. We need to ask ourselves what's more important, long term quality and success, or immediate turnaround.

Clearly for the Wanderers hierarchy it's the former, because they wouldn't have hired Gombau if they wanted otherwise.

Chris Sermeno




Who's Hot

There's no denying it. Sydney FC are the hottest team in the competition this season.

The current league leaders are now five points clear on the table after only 10 rounds, and already have a trophy to their name this season, after scooping up the FFA Cup.

Their form continued this weekend with an absolute demolition of Western Sydney Wanderers in the second Sydney Derby of the season.

After the score was deadlocked 2-2 in round 3, bragging rights were up for grabs, and Sydney wasted no time establishing their dominance.

Adrian Mierzejewski struck home the first goal in the 14th minute setting the tone for things to come; Alex Brosque then added the second in the 41st minute; before Mierzejewski ensured they had a 3-0 lead going into halftime, scoring Sydney's third goal.

After the break things only got worse for the Wanderers, with Lachlan Scott scoring an own goal to put Sydney 4-0 up in the 53rd minute. Brandon O'Neill put the cherry on top with a fifth goal in the 76th minute, when bragging rights were well and truly Sydney's.

Watch the goals below, courtesy of the Hyundai A-League:

https://www.a-league.com.au/news/watch-all-goals-colour-and-passion-sydney-derby

With only one loss in ten matches this A-League season, Sydney are nearly unbeatable. It'll be interesting to see how they fare against Melbourne City, this weekend, who are on a two-game winning streak.

Mikaela Pratt



Who's Not

Melbourne Victory. So much effort and hype for their recruitment drive this season, only to have seen their squad falter week after week on match day.

But more specifically, Besart Berisha isn't having the greatest time up front as of late. Disharmony amongst the squad seems to be Victory's biggest problem, and the midfield service to the box isn't what it used to be. As a result, Berisha has become a little lazier and doesn't chase the ball with the same aggression he had a few seasons ago.

4 goals in 10 games isn't much of a return you'd expect from a striker of his calibre. He couldn't even score when it's handed to him on a platter, as we saw his scuffed penalty against Adelaide.

In comparison, Andrija Kaluderovic has no problems scoring goals, and he's at Wellington, who are sitting dead last with 6 points on the table.

So what's happened to Berisha? The man who could turn on a dime, shoot as he pleased and find the goal even with defenders all around him. His form has dropped massively from last year's joint golden boot success (the loss of Marco Rojas might have something to do with that).

More questions arise each week that Melbourne struggle, and it won't be long before the Kosovan finds himself in the firing line too.

Chris Sermeno



Goal of the Week

No, it wasn't Melbourne Victory's best day at the office. Yes, they'll be devastated to lose yet another match in a season that is starting to slip away from them. But, they'll take some enjoyment out of watching Mark Milligan's strike against Adelaide United.

Showing great technique on the turn, the Socceroo put away a memorable goal to help lift the spirits of despondent Victory supporters.

Brodie Cowburn


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