Two goals from striker Ola Toivonen has seen Melbourne Victory overcome a gallant Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1 at a wet ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
The giant Swede scored late in each half – either side of Alexander Baumjohann’s penalty – to hand the visitors a seventh win in their last nine matches.
The Wanderers went into the match with a point to prove after a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Victory last month and Markus Babbel’s side made the stronger start.
It was only a couple of top-class saves from Lawrence Thomas to deny both Bruce Kamau and then Patrick Ziegler inside the first 11 minutes.
Just when it looked like the sides would go to the break all square, Toivonen struck when he combined brilliantly with James Troisi before burying his shot past Vedran Janjetovic.
In the process, Toivonen became the first Victory player to score in five consecutive Hyundai A-League games.
The Wanderers continued to put Victory on the back foot in the second half and deservedly got back on level terms 16 minutes from time.
Baumjohann was brought down in the box by Storm Roux, with the German stepping up and drilling the ball past Thomas.
An incredible goal-line clearance from Leigh Broxham soon after kept the scores level before Toivonen struck with four minutes left to put Victory back in front.
There was still time for some late drama as Nick Fitzgerald almost salvaged a point for the Wanderers, only for Thomas to divert his powerful volley onto the post.
