Perth prevail in six-goal thriller over Roar, return to Hyundai A-League summit
Perth Glory are back on top of the Hyundai A-League ladder after sealing a remarkable 4-2 comeback victory over 10-man Brisbane Roar.
Brisbane cruised into the interval with a two-goal buffer after Adam Taggart’s brace but the match turned following the dismissal of Roar defender Daniel Bowles for hauling down Glory striker Joel Chianese in the penalty area.
Neil Kilkenny duly converted the resulting penalty and added another spot kick 10 minutes before full-time before an own goal to Aaron Reardon and Andy Keogh’s killer fourth settled an enthralling Suncorp Stadium contest.
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Tony Popovic’s side simply could not live with Brisbane’s relentless first half intensity, an approach which paid dividends when Taggart went past a collision between Liam Reddy and Shane Lowry and rolled home his eighth of the season in the 22nd minute.
Glory had conceded just one first half goal in their last six away fixtures prior to kick off but leaked two in forty minutes after Taggart doubled his tally with a crashing header from Eric Bautheac’s corner delivery.
Brisbane were flying, but the momentum swung completely on the hour mark when Bowles fouled the goal-bound Chianese, leaving Kilkenny to ignite Perth’s turnaround from 12 yards.
Kilkenny equalised from the spot with 10 minutes remaining after Aaron Reardon was penalised for handball upon VAR review, and the Roar substitute’s misfortune continued when he diverted Chianese’s cross into the net via an outstretched leg minutes later.
Keogh added a killer fourth from Chianese’s cross and there was still time for Taggart to fire over from the penalty spot as Glory retained their Hyundai A-League lead at the full time whistle.
