KEY POINTS:
Melbourne Victory's come-from-behind 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners sends out a warning to Ricki Herbert's Wellington Phoenix.
The Phoenix have just a five-day turnaround before going head-to-head with the Victory at Westpac Stadium on Friday night.
The win in front of 21,455 fans at Telstra Stadium on Friday night has left Ernie Merrick's side three points clear at the top of the table and with the best for-and-against record (22-12) in the Hyundai A-League.
John Hutchinson gave the Mariners their 34th minute lead. Four minutes later Tom Pondeljak equalised. On the hour Archie Thompson added the eventual winner.
Adelaide United bounced back from their indifferent form of recent weeks to beat Sydney FC 2-0 and close to within three points of the Victory.
Sasa Ognenovski opened the scoring in stoppage time at the end of the first half. Travis Dodd added a second goal 12 minutes from time.
Sydney have dropped out of the top four and face another test this week at home to Queensland Roar in Friday's late game. Sydney will be without Terry McFlynn after his red card.
There were a modest 5500 fans at Westpac Stadium to watch the Phoenix beat nine-man Newcastle 2-0. The red cards to Joel Griffiths (29 minutes) and Mark Milligan (52 minutes) effectively ended the visitors' hopes, though the home side's Shane Smeltz and Troy Hearfield left the scoring until the last 12 minutes.
Smeltz took his goal tally for the season to eight. He and Central Coast's Matt Simon lead the golden boot.
Queensland made merry on the same Suncorp Stadium pitch where just 24 hours earlier the Kiwis had demolished the Kangaroos in league's World Cup final.
Late first half goals to Sergio Van Dijk (penalty) and Tahj Minniecon had Frank Farina's Roar on course for their fifth win of the season. Charlie Miller inflicted further agony on visiting Perth Glory 12 minutes into the second spell before Glory's Jamie Harnwell got one back two minutes later. Mitch Nichols sealed the win nine minutes from time.
Perth entertain Central Coast on Saturday and Newcastle are at home to Adelaide on Sunday.
