A-League Week 3 action kicked off on Friday night with a Queensland derby between Brisbane Roar and Gold Coast United at Suncorp Stadium.
The reigning champions continued their brilliant form with a third win of the season which came courtesy of goals from Erik Paartalu, Besart Berisha and Mitch Nichols.
Paartalu opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a neat header from Thomas Broich's curling free-kick before Albanian striker Berisha scored his second goal in as many matches on the hour-mark following a pass from substitute Massimo Murdocca. Nichols wrapped up proceedings with just over 10 minutes remaining when Berisha played him to slot past United keeper Glen Moss.
The win has the Roar on top of the table on nine points and it extended their unbeaten streak to 31 matches.
Elsewhere in the A-League, Sydney FC recorded their first victory of the new season with a 2-1 come-from-behind result over Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium. Dario Vidosic put the Reds ahead just before the half-hour mark before Jamie Coyne fired home and then Nick Carle completed the comeback with nine minutes remaining.
In the much-anticipated Melbourne derby on Saturday night, the Victory and Heart were locked in a scoreless draw in front of close to 40,000 fans as Harry Kewell and co. notched up a third game without a goal as the Newcastle Jets grabbed a second win of the campaign courtesy of Jeremy Brockie's brilliant solo effort in the 25th minute against Central Coast Mariners at Ausgrid Stadium.
And finally, Perth Glory made it three from three when Shane Smeltz netted his third of the season with a 33rd minute volley to give his side a 1-0 home victory over Wellington Phoenix.
2011/12 A-League season scores - Week 3
Brisbane Roar: 3 (Eric Paartalu 13', Besart Berisha 60', Mitch Nichols 78') Gold Coast United: 0 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane - 13,425
Adelaide United: 1 (Dario Vidosic 28') Sydney FC: 2 (Jamie Coyne 60', Nick Carle 81') Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide - 12,054
Melbourne Victory: 0 Melbourne Heart: 0 Etihad Stadium, Melbourne - 39,309
Newcastle Jets: 1 (Jeremy Brockie 25') Central Coast Mariners: 0 Ausgrid Stadium, Newcastle - 14,421
Perth Glory: 1 (Shane Smeltz 33') Wellington Phoenix: 0 NIB Stadium, Perth - 8,299
