Sydney FC got the perfect start at home with Luke Brattan sniffing out an inch of space for Rhyan Grant who crossed to Barbarouses to tap into an empty net. 

The Mariners rocked the boat at the end of the first half with Jair heading wide on the end of Silvera's cross. The Sky Blues approach play was phenomenal but surprisingly, couldn't add another before half-time. 

Baumjohann kept his intensity up although Adam Le Fondre couldn't replicate his hat-trick hero moment from last week. The Mariners, meanwhile couldn't find many outlets to make meaningful forays forward. 

SYDNEY FC 

Andrew Redmayne - 6.5

A half volley by Daniel De Silva stung his palms in the opening exchanges. Apart from Milan Duric's free-kick low to his right Redmayne wasn't troubled much more. Redmayne saved Sydney FC a point when he clawed out Gallifuoco's last minute header.

Rhyan Grant - 6.5

A simple run in behind was picked out by Brattan as Grant steadied himself to assist Barbarouses' opener. 

Ryan McGowan - 7

McGowan read the match extremely well tonight intercepting a number of decisive passes.

Alex Wilkinson - 6.5

A solid game from the Sydney skipper who needed to keep his brigade tight with the marginal score line. 

Joel King - 6

King is still in his learning phase, sometimes choosing to hold the ball when he should take on the defender or pass square when he should look forward.

Paolo Retre - 6

Retre had a quiet match in a decent performance for Sydney. Nothing to criticise but nothing of note to praise. 

Luke Brattan - 7

A superb pass steered in behind Clisby opened up the Mariners to concede the opening goal only five minutes in. 

Milos Ninkovic - 7

Sydney FC will be hoping he signs the dotted line sooner rather than later, because tonight was vintage Ninkovic. 

Alexander Baumjohann - 7

Baumjohann had a quick turn of pace and was easily able to turn into the middle of the Mariners midfield. Gallifuoco wasn't posing too much of a threat. 

Kosta Barbarouses - 7

Barbarouses' fifth goal of the season and his fourth in front of the home fans was the eventual winner that sealed three points for the Sky Blues.

Adam Le Fondre - 6.5

Le Fondre was close to getting a touch on Grant's cross but lucky for him Barbarouses was there to finish. 

SUBSTITUTES 

Anthony Caceres - 

Caceres replaced Ninkovic on the hour mark with Sydney still in a dominant but precarious position at 1-0. 

Trent Buhagiar - N/A

Harry Van Der Saag - N/A

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS 

Mark Birighitti - 6

With a save and two interceptions Birighitti may have looked like he had a quiet night but he was always on his heels with Sydney FC approaching. 

Ziggy Gordon - 5

Gordon's abilities in defence were favoured to his prowess going forward as he dropped into a back three when the Mariners were in possession. The extra cover didn't help them offset any pressure. 

Eunsun Kim - 5.5

The Korean was given the armband for this match with Tommy Oar injured and Matt Simon on the bench. He made five interceptions but was always under pressure by Sydney FC. 

Kye Rowles - 5.5

The Mariners were under immense pressure and six interceptions by Rowles looks like a good stat in a game that ended rather tight. 

Jack Clisby - 5

Clisby was placed extremely high and wide meaning he needed to make up a lot of ground to defend a rabid Rhyan Grant. 

Giancarlo Gallifuoco - 5

Gallifuoco can be criticised for some misplaced passes but he opened up the angle for the Mariners first chance. 

Daniel De Silva - 5.5

De Silva tried to get the motors going for the Mariners with a speculative effort outside the box. His slide rule passes into the box were opening up avenues for the Mariners but to no avail. 

Gianni Stensness - 5

Stensness seriously struggled to pick up a man in midfield as Sydney virtually walked through the middle of the Mariners. 

Milan Duric - 6

Duric needed to work hard to find space to influence the game for the Mariners and at times he caused Sydney some trouble, sending Retre to the floor before pulling the trigger in classic Duric fashion. 

Sam SiIvera - 6

He had to wait unti the 43rd minute but Silvera found some space in behind King to swing in a ball to Jair who should have rewarded him with a goal.

Jair da Silva - 5

Jair barely had any touches on the ball but he got in between McGowan and Wilkinson to head wide of the mark just before half-time. 

SUBSTITUTES 

Lewis Miller - 6

Coming on as a right wing-back Miller had every reason to bomb forward although he had to always be mindful of the space he left behind. 

Dylan Ruiz-Diaz - N/A

Matt Simon - N/A