The Uruguayan has been sidelined with injury since August last year and entered the fray just after the hour to a standing ovation.

But a minute later, the man seeking to depose him as the A-League's most prolific goalscorer in a season, struck.

Sydney FC frontman Bobo headed in his second of the night and the Sky Blues third, to bring up his league tally to 20, three short of Fornaroli's record.

The City striker did lash the ball into the back of the net at one point, but the goal was scrubbed out for a foul on Jordy Buijs.

Joyce told Fox Sports post-match it was always going to be a tough ask for Fornaroli to make an impact after going "three-nil down within a small period of time of him going on".

"He’s got a lot to do yet to get back to where he was. He’s worked his socks off. It was a gamble tonight that’s not paid off."

The City boss stopped short of saying his side were reduced to a rabble during the AAMI Park drubbing, but only just.

"We created some good opportunities (in the first half) but then gifted them two goal scoring opportunities and ended up being two-nil down, again sucker punched to concede just on half time.

"But they're the things we’ve talked about before the game...good players make good decisions at the right time. That’s why (Sydney have) been the top of the league for a while.

"And we’ve made some poor decisions that’s cost us goals.

"When the third goal went in I thought we were poor. After that we looked a disorganised unit and you can’t do that against Sydney.

"The first half we looked organised, we passed the ball around, quite an open game, we created opportunities. Second half I thought we finished the game poorly."

Sydney moved 12 points clear at the top of the table while City remain in the third spot.