The Sky Blues sit top of the table after a 5-2 win against a Mariners side that are a bit hapless, a bit unlucky and entirely stone dead last. 

Connor Pain gave the Mariners a deserved lead at halftime but after Kalifa Cisse garnered two ridiculous yellow cards, Sydney were rampant. Alex Brosque starring with a hat-trick, while Aaron Calver and Adam le Fondre - now a surprising record-holder for the fastest man to 10 goals in an A-League season - also nicked a sausage roll.

Better add it to the A-League venacular, he doesn't look like he's going anywhere soon.

SYDNEY FC

Andrew Redmayne - 5    

Almost caught out by Matt Millar early, ended up diving at nothing, then should have saved Connor Pain's goal. Had a very average night.

Paulo Retre - 6.5     

Held easily by the Mariners, which significantly weakened Sydney's attacking output in the first half, but sprung to life in the second - like pretty much every Sky Blue.

Michael Zullo - 7    

Positive but lacking a little final product for most of the match, improved his crossing dramatically in the second.

Aaron Calver - 7     

Brute strength and determination barely made up for his lack of pace at times but finished beautifully for Sydney's fifth goal, and his first A-League goal.

Alex Wilkinson - 6.5

Slightly out of position at times but cool and collected with the ball. 

Joshua Brillante - 7.5

Off the pace and didn't create anything in possession in the first half but played some fantastic balls in the second, including assisting Calver's goal.

Siem de Jong - 8    

Three assists, beginning to really show his value. Played a key part in Sydney's resurgence, showing class offensively when Sydney were struggling to dominate.

Brandon O'Neill - 7

Sydney's holding midfielders are having trouble controlling games early, dictating pace and inconsistent passing, but O'Neill recovered late and it had an instant impact.

Milos Ninkovic - 7.5 

Makes the right decisions at the right times, becoming better each week. 

Alex Brosque - 9  

Heavily involved early and despite some slightly inconsistent decision-making, provides an important mixture of experience, quality and work-rate. Ended up with a beautiful hat-trick.

Adam Le Fondre - 7

Few hit-and-hopes early, exhibiting some strange choices when pulled deep, but he played better in the second half as well.

SUBS

Anthony Caceres - 6

Looked steady on the ball without providing anything spectacular.

Luke Ivanovic - 7

Fantastic in transition, breaking runs, should have scored.

Jacob Tratt - 7

Once again, should have scored. A dynamic presence in the penalty area.

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS

Ben Kennedy - 5

Quiet in the first half, but was devastated at times in the second.   

Kye Rowles - 5 

Backed off too readily, needs to show more aggression.      

Kalifa Cissé - 3      

The Mariners need a strong, determined, fiery centreback, a la Steven Taylor. Kalifa Cisse should fit the bill, but too often is more rash than strong, aggressive than determined and reckless than fiery.

Jake McGing - 6

Solid defending in the opening 45 quickly devolved into errant forward passing. He looked exhausted at times.     

Matthew Millar - 7

Crossing needs work and he makes a few poor decisions defensively, but he's dynamic, deceptively skillful and if the Mariners had eleven of him, they'd be fine.

Connor Pain - 7.5 

Sensational, picking up the ball defensively and tranisitoning single-handedly, his work-rate is brilliant. Drove excellently for the goal.      

Jacob Melling - 6.5  

Very solid first half, showed the potential to be the reliable, ball-moving Mariners midfielder that Tom Hiariej should have been this season. Fell apart and showed why he isn't in the second.

Aiden O'Neill - 6.5     

He scored a fine goal and plays some nice passes but it's worrying that he isn't delivering more, considering he was appearing in the English Premier League last season. It seems like he isn't trying hard enough and that's affecting his natural talent. 

Andrew Hoole - 6.5  

Quick feet, retains possession, draws midfielders and opens space. Needed to track back more effectively late in the match. 

Matt Simon - 6.5       

Inconsistent in possession. He holds the ball well, switches intelligently and works hard but still loses the ball and makes the wrong decisions. It's easy to expect too much from him.  Withdrawn on 56 minutes for Mario Shabow.

Jordan Murray - 6

Works hard, like practically every Mariner, but lacks quality and confidence. 

SUBS

Mario Shabow - 6

Brought on for Simon to inject pace and mobility but provided little other than a slight forward press.

Tommy Oar - N/A

Hugged the touchline - he was restricted by the numerical disadvantage. Solid in possession, hard to rate fairly.

Tom Hiariej - 7

Very energetic, dynamic, he looked confident. Necessity to restore him to the side.