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A Bobo goal has consolidated second spot in the A-League for Sydney and damaged the finals hopes of their cross-town rivals Western Sydney.
Sydney FC striker Bobo continued his fruitful second A-League spell, scoring the goal that ended the Sky Blues' derby drought and landing a blow to Western Sydney's finals hopes in the process.
The Brazilian's 62nd-minute header from an exquisite dink cross by Milos Ninkovic was his tenth goal of the season and secured the 1-0 win over the Wanderers at the SCG.
While that consolidated Sydney's hold on second spot, it left the Wanderers in eighth place and three points off sixth with just three games to play.
Coach Carl Robinson admitted they would probably have to win all three to make the finals, starting with a crunch home against seventh-placed Wellington Phoenix on Wednesday.
It was Sydney's first win in seven A-League matches against Wanderers stretching back to December 2018 and they could have won by a larger margin but for some good saves from Daniel Margush.
After a tight first half of few chances, Sydney dominated the first 20 minutes of the second and Bobo's goal was a deserved reward for the home side.
"We moved the ball a lot better and we pinned them into their half a lot in that second half, which was the key in the end and a very good quality goal I thought," Sydney coach Steve Corica said.
"It's very pleasing to have the (three) clean sheets and nine points in a week.
Both teams had the ball In the net from a first-half setpiece, but neither counted.
The Sky Blues created more chances later in the half, with Anthony Caceres having a shot turned around the post by Western Sydney goalkeeper Margush.
The Wanderers custodian produced two more important saves in the first few minutes of the second half.
After Bobo's goal, chances were few and far between with Troisi putting a free kick over the bar moments before being substituted.
Both sides had an attempt in the 78th minute, with Redmayne saving from substitute Bernie Ibini and Margush producing another good stop to deny Ninkovic, while Barbarouses was just off target with a long-range effort.
Robinson said it was a very difficult pitch to play on.
"I suppose it's like when you go into an attic in your house and you see that spongy stuff," he said.
"There's an area of that field that wasn't great.
"I just don't think a Sydney derby, I don't believe any game should be played on a pitch like that."
Corica had no issues with the ground but said he would prefer to play any home finals at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
