NRL: Resurgent Eels too good for Roosters

Eels players celebrate after scoring one of six tries against the Roosters. Photo / Getty Images

Parramatta have moved a step away from the NRL's dreaded wooden spoon with a entertaining come-from-behind 36-22 win over the struggling Sydney Roosters.

With the home side trailing 22-18 with 30 minutes to play at Parramatta Stadium it was the beleaguered Chris Sandow who stood tall for the Eels, who have now won three of their past four games.

Following a controversial no-try ruling against Cheyse Blair in the 44th minute, the Roosters had fought their way back from an eight-point halftime deficit to gain a 22-18 lead on the back of tries to Adam Henry in the 45th minute and Jake Friend in 48th.

But with momentum going the Roosters way, Sandow swung it back for the Eels with two brilliant individual tries in eight minutes.

Sandow kicked for himself to score in the 57th minute, then broke the Roosters goal-line defence in the 65th minute to give the Eels a 34-22 lead with 15 minutes to play.

Luke Burt added a late penalty goal for the final 36-22 scoreline.

On the back of some good early work from outgoing veterans Burt and captain Nathan Hindmarsh the Eels enjoyed a 18-10 halftime lead.

With a scoot down the sideline and an inside kick for Ryan Morgan, Burt set up the opening try in the eighth minute.

Hindmarsh then crashed over first pass off the ruck in the 28th minute before former Rooster Blair crossed out wide in the 35th minute.

With Burt's flawless kicking, the Eels led 18-4 early, with Brad Takairangi scoring the Roosters' first points in the 21st minute.

That was before Braith Anasta scored off a Mitchell Pearce pass three minutes before halftime and converted to keep the visitors in the mix.

The Roosters hit the front in the 49th minute before falling apart in defence as the Eels claimed just their sixth win of the year.