3 minute read

A look at the third week of the A-League, where Macarthur FC took top spot and just three matches were played amid rescheduling and border restrictions.

THEY SAID IT: "My heart overruled my head, and my gut, because my head and gut said 'you've got to change something here" - Western United coach Mark Rudan lamented not making earlier substitutions in his side's loss to Melbourne City

MAN OF THE WEEK: Western Sydney recruit James Troisi conceded the penalty that saw Sydney FC take the lead in the Sydney derby - only to go on to score the equaliser at Stadium Australia - where he landed Australia's winner in the 2015 Asian Cup final.

BEAT THAT: Loic Puyo's opener against Newcastle had to be seen to be believed. The Frenchman produced a spectacular bicycle kick that gave Jets goalkeeper Jack Duncan absolutely no chance.

STAT ATTACK: Jamie Maclaren's match-winner against Western United was his eighth goal in five games against City's cross-town rival and helped them keep their perfect winning record against United.

TALKING POINT: It was another ripping week for the league's young players. Western Sydney goalkeeper Daniel Margush and wing backs Tate Russell and Tom Aquilina were terrific, while Melbourne City substitutes Kerrin Stokes, Marco Tilio and Stefan Colakovski all impressed.

INJURIES: City veteran Rostyn Griffiths suffered a quad injury against Western United, whose skipper Alessandro Diamanti played on after an elbow issue.

UNDER PRESSURE: Newcastle are yet to pick up points from any of their three games and have just a three-day turnaround to their next game against Brisbane.

UP NEXT: It's time for midweek football. Central Coast host Western Sydney on Tuesday, then Newcastle will play Brisbane on Wednesday evening, before Perth kick-off their season against Adelaide.