A-League Review: Glory hammer Jets, Victory sink City in Melbourne derby

Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC began the triple-header with an entertaining four-goal draw but the majority of the goalmouth action was to be found in a stunning 6-2 result at Perth's HBF Park.

Diego Castro guided home a brilliant free-kick and Neil Kilkenny converted a penalty after Nikolai Topor-Stanley's equaliser to give Tony Popovic's team a slim advantage at the interval, before the visitors began to fall apart.

Joel Chianese struck within a minute of the restart and, though Steven Ugarkovic grabbed one back, that was as good as it got for the Jets.

Bruno Fornaroli hit a 12-minute brace and Castro completed his double seven minutes from the end to cap a dominant display from the resurgent premiers, who would have had a seventh through James Meredith if not Chianese's handball in the build-up.

Champagne football at HBF Park today! pic.twitter.com/SLTV8OfYAA

— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) December 21, 2019

Ola Toivonen had earlier been Victory's two-goal hero at AAMI Park as his first-half headers consigned second-placed Melbourne City to a 2-1 loss.

Harrison Delbridge halved the deficit from a corner in the 56th minute but Victory held firm to register their third win of the season.

Look at what it means! #MVFC #OurVictory pic.twitter.com/NO7zLP4Jcg

— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) December 21, 2019

The derby defeat meant City failed to capitalise on Sydney FC's slip-up against Wellington, the leaders fortunate to gain a 2-2 draw at Westpac Stadium after taking a 14th-minute lead through Adam Le Fondre.

Reno Piscopo responded just over 10 minutes later and set up Ulises Davila to give Wellington the lead before half-time.