A strong second-half performance from substitute Anas Ouahim saw Sydney FC defeat cross-town rivals Western Sydney Wanderers 4-2 in a thrilling Sydney Derby in Unite Round.
Both Sydney FC’s Douglas Costa and Lolley were straight back into the starting line-up following injury and the Englishman had the desired impact, opening the scoring in the 33rd minute in the Isuzu UTE A-League blockbuster on Saturday night.
Finding himself in acres of space inside the box, Lolley thumped home the opener from close range after Patryk Klimala’s initial shot fell straight to him after it was blocked.
Against the run of play the Wanderers then hit their opponents with a sucker punch right before the break; Zac Sapsford rounding off a blistering counter attack to score his third goal in his last five games against Sydney FC.
No doubt aggrieved to be level at the break the Sky Blues restored their lead within three minutes of the restart with defender Jordan Courtney-Perkins heading home from a free-kick at Allianz Stadium.
Capitalising on their opponents mis-fortune, Sydney then made it 3-1 just six minutes later with Ouahim scoring from the penalty spot after Rhyan Grant was fouled inside the box.
Brought on after going 3-1 down, Spanish star Juan Mata then delivered a pinpoint corner to pick out fellow sub Marcus Antonsson, who headed the ball past Andrew Redmayne to set up a grandstand finish.
However, the home side then put pay to any Wanderers hopes of a dramatic late comeback as Polish striker Patryk Klimala rifled home his third goal of the season in the 82nd minute to make it 4-2 to Sydney FC.
Substitute Jaiden Kucharski then netted a late fifth for the home side only to see the goal chalked off due to a foul in the build-up by Tiago Quintal.
The result sees Sydney FC climb up to fifth on the ladder following the third win of the season while the Wanderers now sit 10th after suffering their third loss of the campaign.
