The Wanderers were without star marquees Oriol Riera and Alex Baumjohann, and featured five U21 players over the course of the evening. Perhaps their inexperience told in the end, as they conceded 4 goals in the final 20 minutes.

The classy Diego Castro’s halftime introduction proved decisive, as the playmaker had a hand in each of Perth’s four goals.

However, questions must be raised over the performance of referee Kurt Ams, who waved away a potential offside and awarded a soft penalty to Andy Keogh.

Wanderers’ fans will be bitterly disappointed with the outcome, but the game was an absolute thriller, and a terrific advertisement for the league. 

As for Perth, they continue to live a charmed life, with dreams of a Premiers’ Plate now a very real possibility.

Perth Glory

Liam Reddy – 7.5

Twice denied Yeboah in the first half and could do nothing about any of the goals. His defenders let him down for the first with their marking, and the second and third were struck with venom into the corners.

Scott Neville - 5

Defended his flank diligently but offered very little going forward, and was substituted at halftime.

Tomi Mrcela - 6

Found out on a few occasions due to his lack of pace and agility. The Wanderers’ speedy counter attack was a bad matchup for the big defender.

Shane Lowry – 6.5

Booked in the first half for an unnecessary forearm into the back of Yeboah’s head. Not his sturdiest defensive display, but put his body on the line for a few desperation blocks and tackles.

Alex Grant – 7.5

Rose highest and smashed his header against the crossbar before Franjic scored on the follow-up. Fabulous tackle to deny Yeboah in stoppage time.

Ivan Franjic – 8

Seemed a fish out of water deputising on the left hand side, and his constant checking back onto his right narrowed the Glory’s play.

Brilliant in the second half when Popovic brought on Davidson and moved him back to the right flank. Scored his side’s second and assisted the third.

Juande – 7

With an inexperienced player alongside him, Popovic would have expected the Spaniard to take charge in central midfield, but failed to dictate the tempo in the first half as the absent Kilkenny has so often done.

Much improved in the second half (with better movement in front of him, it must be said) and scored the winner with an ice-cool spot kick into the top corner.

Jake Brimmer - 7

The 20 year-old has plenty of ability but it clearly still learning his craft. Used the ball well in the second half when Glory were chasing the game.

Fabio Ferreira - 7

Perth’s busiest attacker in the first half, testing Suman from distance and crossing onto the head of Keogh, who should have done better. Not quite on the same wavelength as Castro in the second half.

Joel Chianese – 4

Almost anonymous, and was duly substituted at halftime. A very poor game by his recent standards.

Andy Keogh – 7

Missed the best chance of the first half, heading wide from six yards from a terrific Ferreira cross. Quiet for much of the game but was in the right place to equalise, and won the decisive spot kick, making the most of some grappling from Hamill.

Subs:

Diego Castro – 9

For the second game in a row, the former Johnny Warren medallist completely changed the game when he came on.

Suddenly, the Glory had an active presence between the lines to link midfield and attack. Pulled one back with a controversial equaliser – although the onside Castro got there first, Davidson attempted to play the ball after coming from an offside position, but the goal stood following a VAR review.

Put in a glorious cross for the second, and provided the key pass for the third, picking out Franjic with a delightful through ball.

Jason Davidson - 7

Provided the width Perth had been lacking in the first half. Largely concerned with attacking and perhaps neglected his duties at the other end. Lucky not to be flagged offside when Castro scored – Davidson was clearly offside and made an attempt to play the ball, even if he did not make contact with it.

Brendon Santalab – N/A

A clever backheel and an aggressive foul were the only notable moments in his short cameo.

Western Sydney Wanderers

Nick Suman - 6

The young keeper was under tremendous pressure in the second half, and it eventually told. Couldn’t clamber back to his feet quickly enough to challenge Castro for the first goal, nor keep out Franjic for Perth’s second.

Tate Russell – 7

Perhaps the best of Western Sydney’s back four, Russell defended his position well. Most of the Glory’s inroads came down the other flank.

Tas Mourdoukoutas – 6

The youngster looked very comfortable in possession, but when Perth turned the screws, he was unable to put up with their physicality.

Brendan Hamill – 5

The captain couldn’t believe Kurt Ams’ decision to award a penalty against him in the 86th minute, but when he watches the footage back, he’ll be annoyed with himself for giving Keogh such an easy excuse to go down.

Tarek Elrich – 4

Struggled with the pace of Ferreira in 1v1 situations in the first half. In the second it was Franjic and Castro giving him nightmares, and when his side searched for a late equaliser, he put in two very poor crosses.

Keanu Baccus – 7.5

No great penetration with his passing, but recycled the ball well to help his side keep possession. Clipped a lovely ball over the top in the lead-up to the third goal.

Jordan O’Doherty – N/A

Came off after 15 minutes with a suspected concussion.

Bruce Kamau – 6

An ineffectual display from the winger, who was often muscled off the ball.

Nick Fitzgerald – 6.5

Forced to drop into holding midfield after O’Doherty went off. His unfamiliarity with the position was evident and Babbel eventually dragged him off for Mahazi.

Roly Bonevacia – 7

Had a largely quiet game, and didn’t cover himself in glory with a blatant dive in the second half. However, his unerring finish for the Wanderers’ second was all class.

Kwame Yeboah – 8.5

Had two decent opportunities before bundling in his first goal in red and black from a corner. Did it come off his chest? His face? As they say, they all count. 

His movement was positive and a thorn in the side of the Glory back three, and if the goal he scored was fortuitous, there was no coincidence about his two direct assists.

Subs

Abraham Majok – 7.5

Came off the bench far earlier than expected, and had a great opportunity in the first half which he sidefooted narrowly wide. His skills came to the fore and Western Sydney played on the break in the second half, as he was involved in the build-up for the second goal, and smashed the third emphatically beyond Liam Reddy to claim his first at A-League level.

Rashid Mahazi – 5

The holding midfielder was brought on to shore up the team, but did anything but. His side conceded four times while he was on the pitch.

Jaushua Sotirio – N/A

Not given enough time to influence proceedings.