Barbarouses winner piles pressure on Victory and lifts Sydney FC into second

Kosta Barbarouses was the match-winning hero for Sydney FC in Sunday's 2-1 come from behind win over Melbourne Victory.

Barbarouses, who won four trophies and scored in two Grand Finals for Victory before signing for their fierce rivals in August, scored a 68th minute tap-in to break the visitors' resistance and secure Big Blue bragging rights. 

A Victory side missing a string of first-team stars had earlier taken a shock lead against the run of play through Ola Toivonen's header on the cusp of the half-time interval.

Sydney dominated the ball but did not register a single shot on target until the hour mark, however their weight of possession told when Adam Le Fondre nodded home Alex Wilkinson's knockdown to restore parity. 

Buoyed by the equaliser, the Sky Blues pressed on and secured the match-winning effort via New Zealand international Barbarouses, who tucked away at the second attempt after hitting the crossbar. 

Steve Corica's side move second on the ladder as a result of their season's fourth win, edging just one point behind leaders Melbourne City.

Victory remain in eighth with just the single Hyundai A-League win to their name after six matches. 

Key moments

Toivonen gives Victory the lead

Sydney dominated the possession and shot count in the opening half but fell behind when Toivonen headed home Josh Hope's cross at the back post. 

It was the Swedish striker's fourth goal of the campaign. He has now been involved in eight of Victory's last nine Hyundai A-League goals. 

Le Fondre breaks Victory resistance

Sydney had not fired a shot on target prior to the 59th minute, when Milos Ninkovic forced Victory 'keeper Lawrence Thomas into action.

But Steve Corica's side restored parity with the resulting corner kick. Alex Wilkinson rose highest, and Adam Le Fondre reacted swiftly to nod the equaliser home. 

Barbarouses breaks Victory hearts

The Kiwi flyer scored the goal Victory fans were dreading to see as Sydney piled forward after Le Fondre's equaliser.

It came from Milos Ninkovic's delightful pick-out of Rhyan Grant, who chested the ball toward Barbarouses. The former Navy Blue star hit the post with his initial attempt, but made no mistake when toeing the rebound over the line. 

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