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Sydney FC paint town blue with derby win

Sydney FC have painted the town sky blue, overcoming fierce rivals Western Sydney 3-1 in a heated derby clash to keep their A-League finals hopes alive.

It was the first time Sydney had beaten the Wanderers this season and it couldn’t have come at a better time, victory lifting them to fourth on the ladder with only five games remaining until the finals.

The high-stakes clash started slowly, however, but two penalties and four goals in the second half ensured the 40,285-strong crowd at Allianz Stadium got their money’s worth.

Fans appeared set for a dour affair early on with both teams locked in a real arm wrestle unable to create any real chances.

For the first half-hour, all the action was in the stands with an the entire stadium in full voice providing the colour and excitement.

But the Wanderers began to fire late in the opening half with livewire winger Youssouf Hersi creating the best chance, forcing a save from gloveman Vedran Janjetovic with his long-range strike.

The game exploded in the second half with Shinji Ono getting the goal the Wanderers needed, latching onto a ball from Brendon Santalab to put the visitors ahead in the 50th minute.

Just moments later, Richard Garcia conceded a penalty taking down Hersi in the box.

Mark Bridge stepped up to the mark for the Wanferers but Janjetovic saved the strike to send the crowd into raptures.

Celebrations continued for the Sky Blues with Matthew Jurman finding the equaliser in the 59th minute, heading home a Nikola Petkovic free kick to score his first goal for Sydney.

Garcia pounced on a misplaced backpass from defender Michael Beauchamp to score his fifth of the season and give Sydney a 2-1 lead in the 75th minute.

Things went from bad to worse for the Wanderers with Jerome Polenz conceding a penalty for a hand-ball in the box in extra time.

Ali Abbas stepped up and made no mistake to put the final nail in the coffin.

It was the first time Sydney had come from behind this season to win a match.

AAP

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