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Sydney beat Reds, sound A-L finals warning

3 minute read

Sydney FC coach Steve Corica said his side produced a season-best performance on their way to defeating top six hopefuls Adelaide United 4-1 at Coopers Stadium.

STEVE CORICA.
STEVE CORICA. Picture: Don Arnold/Getty Images

Sydney FC coach Steve Corica has labelled his side's 4-1 drubbing of Adelaide United as the Sky Blues' best performance of the season.

The dominant victory was headlined by English striker Adam Le Fondre - who bagged a double - while Bobo and substitute Patrick Wood also found the back of the net at Coopers Stadium on Saturday night.

Le Fondre broke the deadlock after six minutes and could have scored twice more before the break, but eventually doubled his tally 10 minutes into the second half.

Despite the missed opportunities, Corcia was delighted his side piled on the pressure after the interval and put the hosts to the sword.

"I really think we could've been up more at halftime," Corica said.

"Adam had a good header that he should've scored and an open goal that probably got cleared off the line so I think he could've probably had a hat-trick by halftime.

"I'm very pleased with the second-half performance as well to go on with it and to really be ruthless in front of goal - I thought we were tonight."

Bobo scored Sydney's third on the hour before Wood struck on 71 minutes, but United were outmuscled and outplayed from the first whistle.

The Sky Blues were rewarded when Le Fondre headed home on six minutes with Corica admitting a fast start was key for the visitors.

The Sydney tactician had done his homework on the Reds and said overwhelming Adelaide from the get-go was all part of the plan.

"Especially here in Adelaide, we know how they start," he said.

"They normally start very quick and physical as well and we needed to match that and I thought obviously we matched it and we were better than then from the start.

"The game plan worked really well, the boys executed the game plan well and also the timing of the goals were important.

"Like I said, that was our best performance of the season."

United rarely looked like threatening the visitors and took until the 89th minute to find a consolation through Yaya Dukuly - his first A-League goal.

"We looked very lethargic I'd say in the first half tonight," Reds coach Carl Veart said.

"We just weren't as sharp as we normally have been ... It wasn't good."

The result moves second-place Sydney to within four points of leaders Melbourne City while Adelaide remain 4th, four points clear of Wellington who are 7th but have played one game less in the race for top six.

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