Melbourne City held off a late comeback attempt from Sydney FC to win 3-2 and end a three-match A-League losing streak.

Hosts City came into the contest – a rematch of last year's Grand Final, which Sydney won in extra time – out of form with five defeats in their last six.

But any lack of confidence was not reflected as they stormed into a three-goal lead after 53 minutes courtesy of two goals from Australia striker Jamie Maclaren and another from Adrian Luna.

Milos Ninkovic got one back and another Sydney substitute, Patrick Wood, scored in the 90th minute to prompt a few nerves in stoppage time but Melbourne held on.

Maclaren was constantly involved, racking up nine shots for the victors, while Andrew Nabbout had a game-high five key passes including a fine assist for the third goal.

A first loss in four means Sydney stay fifth, with City now just two points behind them in ninth.

Besart Berisha moved to second on the Australian National League all-time scoring list as Western United routed Macarthur 4-1 in the A-League on Saturday.

The 35-year-old scored twice to rack up his 137th and 138th A-League goals - a competition best - and jump ahead of former NSL striker Rod Brown in the overall list in Australian league football.

Iker Guarrotxena opened the scoring in fine fashion at Mars Stadium, shrugging off compatriot Benat and firing low past Adam Federici.

The Spaniard played a part in the second, releasing Alessandro Diamanti to tee up Berisha, and the Italian set up the counter-attack for Dylan Pierias to make it 3-0.

Guarrotxena was unfortunate to see his lob come back off the crossbar but Berisha was on hand to score the follow up that completed the rout, and the only blot was Matt Derbyshire's late consolation. United move up to eighth, with Macarthur still high in third despite the setback.

In Saturday's other game, Sydney FC and second-place Brisbane Roar played out a goalless draw.

Kosta Barbarouses ended his A-League goal drought to give Sydney FC a 2-1 victory over his old club Wellington Phoenix at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.

The 30-year-old, who started his career in Australia's top flight with the Phoenix in 2007, had gone more than a year without a goal from open play.

He struck twice on Monday for the champions, though, becoming just the sixth player to reach 70 A-League goals in the competition's history.

Barbarouses opened the scoring against the run of play with a fine finish 32 minutes in and fired home a second midway through the second half.

The visitors, who hit the crossbar twice through Ulises Davila and Louis Fenton and out-shot Sydney 20 to seven, could only manage an injury-time consolation through Davila's deflected effort.

They stayed second-bottom with four points from five matches, while Sydney climbed to third, five behind leaders Central Coast Mariners but with two games in hand.

Dylan Wenzel-Halls scored a double to fire Brisbane Roar to the top of the A-League with a 3-1 home win over Adelaide United.

The striker, who now has four goals in as many matches, scored either side of Jay O'Shea finding the top corner with a spectacular strike.

Adelaide managed a late consolation from Nathan Konstandopoulos with what was their only shot on target.

Brisbane moved ahead of Central Coast Mariners on goal difference and have now won three of their first four matches this season.

Elsewhere, 18-year-old substitute Patrick Wood scored a double and inspired champions Sydney FC to a 3-0 away win over 10-man Macarthur.

Mark Milligan was sent off after 21 minutes for a bad foul on Trent Buhagiar.

Hosts Macarthur battled to keep it level until Wood struck midway through the second half, the players having had an extended half-time break due to poor weather.

The young striker scored with 66 minutes on the clock and Milos Ninkovic added another after a fine solo run before Wood put the icing on the cake with his second late on.

In Saturday's other game, Melbourne Victory claimed their first ever point against Western United in a 0-0 draw.

A late goal from Jamie Maclaren gave Melbourne City a dramatic 2-1 derby win over Western United in the A-League on Saturday. 

City bounced back from their loss to Adelaide United last time out to move level on points with early leaders Central Coast Mariners. 

Australia striker Maclaren struck in the 84th minute, converting a simple finish after excellent work from Adrian Luna and substitute Stefan Colakovski to set him up. 

The goal completed a comeback that had started when Craig Noone curled in after collecting a pass from Curtis Good, Ivan Vujica's header having earlier put Western United ahead. 

Melbourne have now won five straight matches against their rivals.

Elsewhere, Sydney FC were held to a 1-1 draw by Western Sydney Wanderers, who are now unbeaten in five derby matches. 

Kosta Barbarouses put the defending champions ahead with a penalty after 63 minutes, but James Troisi levelled five minutes later following a mistake by home goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne.

Calem Nieuwenhof and Luke Brattan scored superb long-range goals as defending A-League champions Sydney FC started their campaign with a 2-1 win over Wellington Phoenix.

A-League debutant Nieuwenhof slammed a brilliant strike into the top left-hand corner to put last season's premiers ahead in the 29th minute at WIN Stadium on Friday.

Mirza Muratovic – a close-season signing from Brisbane Roar – got off the mark for Wellington to level the scores on the stroke of half-time.

Another Sydney thunderbolt settled the contest, however, with Nieuwenhof's midfield partner Brattan picking out the top-right corner with a venomous free-kick.

Ulises Davila thought he had snatched a point for Wellington in stoppage time, only for his effort to have diverted in off Tomer Hemed, who was flagged offside.

In Friday's other game, Brisbane bounced back from their opening defeat to Melbourne City by overcoming Melbourne Victory 3-1.

Callum McManaman curled in a delightful finish on his debut to draw Melbourne level after Scott McDonald's opener, but Macaulay Gillesphey's header put Brisbane back ahead on the hour.

With Melbourne pushing for another equaliser – McManaman going close – Dylan Wenzel-Halls broke onto a long ball and, after twisting his way clear of his marker, slotted home to seal the points.

Bobo has returned to Sydney FC, joining the A-League club for a second stint.

The Brazilian striker enjoyed a successful spell at the club between 2016 and 2018, winning two premierships, a championship and an FFA Cup.

Bobo, who turns 36 on January 9, won the A-League Golden Boot in 2017-18.

The former Besiktas and Gremio striker has had spells at Alanyaspor, Hyderabad FC and Oeste since leaving Sydney, but his return for the 2020-21 campaign was confirmed on Friday.

"I enjoyed every moment of my time at Sydney FC, we had a hugely successful two seasons and I want that again," Bobo said.

"The club has hardly missed a beat since, winning both A-League titles and the Premiers' Plate and I can't wait to go for three in a row.

"My family and I still feel like members of the Sky Blue family and for us this is like a journey home.  

"We are looking forward to seeing everyone, particularly all of our members again, and to get going on another exciting ride."

Bobo scored 42 goals in 57 A-League games during his previous stint. Besart Berisha (35) was the next best over the same period.

Of Bobo's goals, 10 were headers, while all 42 came from inside the box. It included 11 penalties.

 

Sydney begin their A-League campaign against Wellington Phoenix on Saturday, but Bobo is set to complete quarantine and be available for the derby against the Western Sydney Wanderers on January 16.

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