Just what did we learn from week two of the A-League?
THE SYDNEY DERBY IS NOW BY FAR THE MUST-WATCH FIXTURE OF THE SEASON
It may only be two years old, but the Sydney derby is without doubt the showcase fixture of the A-League season.
It may not have been football of the highest quality, but you get the sense that the players genuinely feel the rivalry and feed off the incredible atmosphere in the stands.
Over to you this weekend, Melbourne.
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WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS IN UNCHARTERED TERRITORY
On the balance of play in the Sydney derby, the Wanderers were well and truly beaten.
The derby defeat and the 4-1 away loss to Melbourne Victory leaves the Wanderers on the bottom of the A-League table with no points, and there’s no doubt Tony Popovic’s side are struggling.
The Wanderers will now switch their attention to the AFC Champions League final over the next two weeks, and a win against Al Hilal could do wonders for their A-League hopes.
THE SHADOW OF MELBOURNE HEART STILL LINGERS OVER CITY
If it wasn’t for David Villa’s late equaliser, Melbourne City would have lost a match it so easily should have won.
The Spanish World Cup-winner helped City salvage a point in what looked to be heading in an all-to familiar result for fans who stuck around following the face lift.
Despite what the bookies say, City are far off being title contenders and the loss of David Villa after his ten-match guest stint will only make things more difficult.
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KEEP FOOTBALL AT FOOTBALL GROUNDS
While it was fantastic that 33,000 showed up to Adelaide Oval for the usually brilliant United-Victory clash, there’s no doubt the surface ruined what should have been an excellent spectacle of football.
The hard, slippery surface of Adelaide Oval killed the game on Friday night and did not allow either side to play their usual possession-based style of football.
The atmosphere at Hindmarsh is electric for this clash and the fact that the fans were a good 50 metres away from the action hurt the spectacle too.
Of course, this all overlooks the financial factors of pulling a larger crowd, but the playing surface destroyed what should have been a good game.
ANDY KEOGH CAN BECOME AN A-LEAGUE SUPERSTAR
The Irishman may not have the flair and trickery of some of the A-League’s best players, but his strong mentality combined with an excellent eye for goal means he could become a genuine A-League star.
After his hat-trick heroics on the weekend, Keogh took his tally to four goals in two A-League games and the diversity of his goals means that he’ll firm as one of the bookies’ favourites for the golden boot.