Aleksandar Prijovic’s knack of scoring against Western Sydney Wanderers has continued as the Serbian striker fired Western United to a much-needed A-League Men win.
Prijovic’s chested goal from a James Troisi cross in the fifth minute was enough to secure a 1-0 triumph at AAMI Park on Sunday.
It was his third strike in as many starts against the Wanderers – all resulting in wins.
Importantly, it gave United a second victory of the season and lifted last year’s champions off the foot of the table.
Mali international Tongo Doumbia impressed on his return to United’s starting line-up and started a sweeping move upfield for the goal when he won the ball back in his own half.
Ben Garuccio played in Troisi, who cut the ball past Wanderers goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas and across the six-yard box for Prijovic.
The big man didn’t bother stooping for a header, instead calmly chesting the ball into an open net.
The visitors had chances to level before half-time but Sulejman Krpic blasted the best of them over the bar and sent a header wide, while Yeni N’Gbakoto shot straight at United ‘keeper Jamie Young.
Krpic again wasted a great chance after the break when his close-range shot was saved by Young, who also denied Calem Nieuwenhof’s drive from the edge of the box.
There was nothing resembling the Melbourne derby chaos that descended on the same venue less than 24 hours earlier.
Few fans were on hand for Sunday’s fixture, making for a subdued atmosphere.
A small group staged a quiet protest at the A-Leagues’ decision to play grand finals in Sydney for the next three years.
At the 20-minute mark, members of United’s active support walked out from their usual place in the stadium’s south stand.
But most of the action was on the park, where Prijovic’s goal settled the contest.
