After trailing by two at the interval, the Glory produced a stunning second half turnaround to score four unanswered goals, and regain their position at the top of the table.

After a stirring comeback in Newcastle, caretaker coach Darren Davies had plenty to build on going into the Roar’s first home game in nearly a month. Tony Popovic, meanwhile, rotated his squad, making four changes from the side that beat the Mariners 4-1 on New Year’s Eve.

After a tepid first 15 minutes, Brisbane began to exert a ferocious high press, and were rewarded with an Adam Taggart double before the break – one from a Liam Reddy brain fade, and another from a corner.

Daniel Bowles’ red card early in the second half completely changed the contest, and Brisbane were powerless to prevent the changing of the tide.

Two Neil Kilkenny penalties, an Aaron Reardon own goal, and an Andy Keogh header, not to mention a brilliant cameo from Diego Castro, saw the Glory complete a stunning comeback and take the three points back to WA.

Taggart had a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit in stoppage time, but blazed his penalty against the bar, spoiling his chance of a hat trick.

BRISBANE ROAR

Jamie Young – 8.5

Barely had a save to make in the first half, but was a very busy man in the second, and stood up fantastically well for his side. Displayed his brilliant athleticism and anticipation to deny Keogh (twice), Davidson (twice), and Santalab (from point blank range). Had no real chance of stopping any of the Perth goals.

Jack Hingert – 6

Denied Ferreira what seemed a certain goal with a crucial block in his own six yard box. Nasty challenge on Davidson led to a deserved booking. Couldn’t cope with Davidson or Castro down his flank in the second half as the pressure mounted.

Daniel Bowles – 4

Gave away some free kicks in promising areas which Perth failed to capitalise on. Came very close to scoring with an excellent header from a Bautheac set piece, but his effort came back off the stanchion.

Deservedly red carded early in the second half for bringing down Chianese when the Perth attacker was clean through on goal, and his poor decision cost his side dearly.

Jacob Pepper - 6

The much-maligned Pepper was excellent in the first half, albeit copping a booking for repeat fouling. In the second, however, his lack of pace and mobility was sorely exposed amid mounting Perth pressure.

Connor O’Toole – 6.5

The young fullback showed his talent in the first half with several interceptions and some composed play on the ball, but showed his positional inexperience in the second, caught out on multiple occasions by Chianese.

Alex Lopez – 6.5

Did well defensively to screen for his back four, but one feels his talents could be better utilised further up the field. Dropped too deep to receive the ball from his centre halves and seemed to tire as the game went on.

Thomas Kristensen – 6

Positionally sharp but his execution left much to be desired, often giving the ball away unnecessarily. Barely featured in the second as his aging legs got the better of him.

Matt McKay – 7.5

Provided little on the ball but his energy and discipline contributed greatly to the Roar’s high press. Booked for petulantly kicking the ball away, even though his side had been awarded the free kick. Substituted early in the second half after getting through a mountain of work.

Dane Ingham – 7

Showed presence of mind to quickly play in Taggart over the top when the ball dropped to him from a Perth goal kick. Great pace up and down the right flank, but wildly inconsistent with his delivery. Sacrificed for Reardon after the red card.

Adam Taggart – 8

Struggled to stay onside early on, but his off-the-shoulder approach soon paid off, heading the ball over the onrushing Reddy and sidefooting home into the empty net.

Doubled his tally with a thumping near-post header from a Bautheac corner. Blazed his late penalty against the bar and over.

Eric Bautheac – 7.5

Provided some sweet deliveries from set pieces, teeing up Taggart in the 41st minute with a wickedly struck in-swinging corner. Was a bright spot for the Roar in the second half, with one extraordinarily determined run prompting an ovation from the Brisbane faithful.

SUBS

Nick D’Agostino – 6

Had plenty of time on the park but little service as his substitution was quickly followed by Bowles’ red card.

Aaron Reardon – 2

An absolute nightmare of a cameo for the promising youngster, who gave away a penalty for handball before inadvertently turning a Chianese cross into his own net.

Henrique – N/A

Not given enough time to influence the outcome.

PERTH GLORY

Liam Reddy – 4

Came way out of his goal to try to deal with Ingham’s through ball, but ended up missing it completely, taking out his defender Lowry in the process to leave Taggart with an open goal.

Dino Djulbic – 6

Won everything in the air but looked predictably slow and sluggish on the deck. Substituted for Franjic on the hour mark.

Shane Lowry – 7

Copped a huge knock from his own goalkeeper in the lead-up to Taggart’s opener, and seemed to be feeling the effects for the remainder of the half. Much improved once he recovered in the second.

Alex Grant – 6.5

Tempted fate with his challenge on Taggart on the stroke of half time, which could have resulted in a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity. Sacrificed for Santalab with a quarter of an hour to go.

Scott Neville – 7

Started well and provided energy down the right, but his final ball was lacking. Showed his versatility to move into the back three in the second half.

Jason Davidson – 7.5

Provided some nice touches in the first half but wasn’t involved enough in possession, and was occasionally caught out of position on the counter attack. Much brighter in the second as Perth got on top.

Neil Kilkenny – 7.5

Seemed to spend more time in the first half arguing with referee Adam Kersey than he did constructing positive attacking moves for his side.

Improved greatly in the second, and was ice-cool not once but twice from the spot. His turnaround exemplified his side’s comeback.

Jake Brimmer – 7

Struggled for time and space on the ball in the first half under an intense Brisbane press. After the red card, the young midfielder was able to circulate possession much more effectively.

Joel Chianese – 8

His pace and movement consistently created attacking channels for his side and moved the opposition defence around, but his teammates often did not serve him the ball at the right moments.

His burst of acceleration won a penalty and resulted in Bowles’ red card, and he provided the deliveries for both Reardon’s own goal, and Keogh’s header.

Fabio Ferreira – 5

Perth’s busiest attacking outlet in the first half, and had two great opportunities in the first half which he squandered. Selfishly chose to shoot in the 52nd minute when Chianese was wide open in a great position. Substituted on the hour mark for Castro.

Andy Keogh – 6.5
Isolated and frustrated for much of the first half. His flick-on to Chianese led to the red card and the penalty. Had two golden opportunity second-half opportunities by was twice denied by Young. Finally saw the net bulge late in the piece with a composed header.

SUBS

Diego Castro – 8

Oh, how the A-League has missed his creative brilliance. The Spanish magician was crucial to the Perth comeback after coming off the bench, taking players on and sliding delicate through balls behind the Roar defence. A joy to watch.

Ivan Franjic – 6.5

Plenty of attacking impetus off the bench, but gave away a late penalty with a clumsy challenge.

Brendon Santalab – 7.5

The super-sub demonstrated his value to Tony Popovic’s side, nearly scoring himself before winning a penalty when his well-struck shot careened into the upraised arm of Reardon.