Stats Perform
·18 October 2019
Stats Perform
·18 October 2019
Alexander Meier's excellent first A-League goal and a Keanu Baccus stunner helped Western Sydney Wanderers to a 2-1 upset of Melbourne Victory at Marvel Stadium on Friday.
The superb second-half finishes arrived within eight minutes of each other and secured Markus Babbel's men a second successive win following last weekend's narrow defeat of Central Coast Mariners.
Ola Toivonen's penalty halved the deficit 18 minutes from time but the damage was done for Victory, who laboured to a derby draw against Melbourne City in their season opener.
Matthew Jurman headed against the post and chances were wasted at either end before midfielder Baccus made the breakthrough in the 54th minute with a brilliant first-time strike into the top-left corner.
Western Sydney were soon celebrating a fine second courtesy of September signing Meier, as the former Eintracht Frankfurt forward deftly lobbed Lawrence Thomas from outside the box following a mix-up between the goalkeeper and right-back Storm Roux.
Toivonen gave Victory a lifeline from the spot after Kenny Athiu's header struck Dylan McGowan's outstretched arm, but the visitors held on to lay down a marker ahead of next weekend's blockbuster game against bitter rivals Sydney FC.