Gold Coast United have seemingly cruised to a 3-1 home win over Sydney FC, continuing their dominance of the reigning champs. United netted twice in the first half through Joel Porter and Jason Culina to set up their fourth win in five games against their opponents before Porter added a second to make it 3-0 ten minutes into the second term to extend their unbeaten run to 10 games.
Sydney got one back thanks to Bruno Cazarine but it wasn't enough as the glamour strip men went marching on to another positive result.
A-League Week 14Gold Coast United: 3 (Joel Porter 15', 54', Jason Culina 44') Sydney FC: 1 (Bruno Cazarine 58')
Venue: Skilled Park, Robina Crowd: 2,000 Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones Yellow cards:GCU - Steve Pantelidis 38', Adama Traore 81' SYD - Stuart Musialik 59'
GOAL The home side hit their straps early through Joel Porter who was lively in the opening stages and managed to get a nice reward in just the 15th minute when he received a lovely ball from Jason Culina before firing home at the near post to open up his account for the season.
There wasn't much action down the Sydney end for most of the first half as the reigning champs chased a leveler but United managed to snuff out any chances and went into the break looking by far the more dangerous of the two teams especially when their second goal came.
GOAL Captain Culina was the recipient of a smart Anderson pass where he managed to control brilliantly with one touch before lashing home from outside the area to give his side a two-goal lead at the interval.
Things were not looking great for the Sky Blues when a third goal came for the home side less than 10 minutes into the second term. GOAL Porter took on the Sydney defence with a dazzling run before he hit it with perfection past Necevski to make it 3-0 and cap off a top game for himself even though there was more than half an hour remaining.
GOALSydney hit back four minutes later when number one striker Bruno Cazarine was on hand to knock in from close range after Hiro Moriyasu's shot stung the palms of Gold Coast keeper Glen Moss and after a small phase of positive Sky Blues play, the home side again took over to control proceedings.
And that they did for the remainder of the encounter as Miron Bleiberg's men went three points clear of Central Coast Mariners and within five of league leaders Brisbane Roar as Sydney were consigned to yet another disappointing loss.
Starting Line-Ups
GCU Glen Moss (gk), Steve Pantelidis (Minniecon 46'), Michael Thwaite, Dino Djulbic, Zenon Caravella, Anderson, Jason Culina, Bas van den Brink, Joel Porter (Halloran 90'), James Brown (Robson 75'), Adama Traore
Subs - Scott Higgins (gk), Tahj Minniecon (46'), Robson (75'), Ben Halloran (90')
SYD Ivan Necevski (gk), Stephan Keller, Hayden Foxe, Hiro Moriyasu, Bruno Cazarine, Shannon Cole (Petratos 70'), Alex Brosque, Terry McFlynn, Scott Jamieson, Byun Sung-hwan, Rhyan Grant (Musialik 46')
Subs - Liam Reddy (gk), Stuart Musialik (46'), Dimitri Petratos (70'), Seb Ryall