Western Sydney Wanderers edged closer to the top spot whilst knocking off new rival Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Saturday, recording a 2-1 win. Goals from Shinji Ono and Iacopo La Rocca were the difference, despite a late goal from Victory youth product Connor Pain.

Victory

Flores’ game
A game of mixed fortunes played out for the Argentinian no.9. Lining up in his usual ‘false nine’ position, Flores looked gun-shy as he twice refused to shoot, instead giving off the pass. That should not surprise, that is what he is there to do. Flores was always active, always lurking around but not quite busting the visitors’ door down. He was unfairly removed in the 54th minute; he looked the key to breaking through and drawing the Wanderers to him and out of position.

Gallaway breaks even
Going up against Yousouff Hersi was never going to be easy, but Scott Gallaway’s performance on the left was a positive for Victory. Although Hersi was busy on his wing, Gallaway wasn’t disgraced. It did look like Victory were playing a NYL side, this was the ideal game to get them a run. Against a top side in a raucous atmosphere, there is no better occasion.

Midfield works, attack doesn’t
Billy Celeski, Leigh Broxham and Mark Milligan were reunited in midfield and were Victory’s better players. The trio were keys to providing the chances for attack and they did enough for Connor Pain to poach a goal late from a delightful Celeski through ball. The energy and effort from the home side was clearly there, just was not enough to break down the Wanderers organised defence.

Slack goals conceded
Three players weren’t able to clear Nikolai Topor-Stanley’s attacking header back to Iacopo La Rocca, allowing the Wanderers midfield enough time to smash home from close range. The same happened, as Hersi’s run and shot rebounded to Shinji Ono to put home an exquisite shot in the top corner. If either man isn’t given enough time to put the ball in, it becomes a different game.

Bye, bye Premiership?
Not quite, as least right now; as Ange made quite clear in his post-game conference. Losses to Central Coast and Adelaide over the weekend helped the Victory cause, which now leaves Victory much to play for in Gosford this Saturday. A loss will likely see any chances of seeing the Premiers Plate head to Melbourne disappear.

Wanderers

Organised defence
Considering the limited amount of time together pre-season, it is remarkable to see how teams find the Wanderers near impossible to crack. Topor-Stanley and Michael Beauchamp did what they have been doing all season, taking care of anything that came their way. Adam D’Apuzzo and Jerome Polenz’s efforts can’t go unnoticed either; several tackles Polenz made could have been the difference between the Wanderers leaving with a point or three.

Kresinger’s game
The lumbering Croatian has, in the majority of times fairly, been much maligned but is now an important player in the Wanderers formation. Kresinger got his head on to several passes and most aerial contests to keep possession or shift the ball on to his wide/midfield friends in attacking positions. His goal output is far from impressive, but stats can say anything. Mark Bridge and Hersi benefit from his presence as well, leaving them space to expose and get into scoring positions.

Clinical in front of goal
It is a far cry from where they were to begin the season, but there can’t be many more doubters of the Westies' ability in front goal. They are able to force their way through goal, as witnessed with La Rocca’s goal, giving them goals they probably have no right to score. Twice they put half-chances away, they have a good knack of doing that.

Midfield
They are rough and never gave an inch, and it was a big reason why the result happened. La Roccas’s goal was a difference, but paired with Mateo Poljak, he didn’t allow Victory to get into any attacking rhythm, except on the counter-attack. Aaron Mooy came on as the perfect foil as a sub to maintain possession and to get stuck in with the tackle when needed.

Hello to the Premiers?
With all momentum theirs and attacking, defensive nous, it is very much possible that the Wanderers will finish as premiers. Their toughest game will be against the Mariners in Gosford, but other than that there is no reason why they can’t defeat Glory, Phoenix, Heart, Sydney and the Jets on the way.