Perth Glory have moved six points clear at the top of the A-League with a 3-1 win against Sydney FC at HBF Park.
Tony Popovic's side scored all their goals in the first half, with Joel Chianese grabbing a double and Brendon Santalab scoring his first goal of the season.
Adam le Fondre pulled a goal back midway through the second half for the Sky Blues, who have won the Premier's Plate in the last two seasons.
But coach Steve Corica conceded they had given themselves too much to do to get back into the match.
The Glory snapped a nine-game losing streak against Sydney FC, and after 12 rounds they have only suffered one defeat.
Popovic, asked after the game to sum up the performance, said: "Great intensity, great football and disciplined defensively. It was an all-round great 45 minutes and I'm glad they got the three goals they deserved.
"I think we've played as well as that, without getting the rewards. It was a very confident, dominant display against an excellent team."
The coach added: "In our last home game we lost to them and I think it's quite clear the improvement we've made since then."
Perth went ahead when Chianese slid the ball past keeper Andrew Redmayne to finish off a move that had seen Jason Davidson play a neat one-two with Diego Castro.
Chianese was just too high with a shot moments later after being teed up by Castro, before making it 2-0 in the 24th minute.
Neil Kilkenny came up with the sublime assist, Chianese chesting the ball down neatly and slotting home.
Castro curled a shot over after Santalab's clever lay-off, before the third goal arrived via Santalab.
Chianese seized upon Josh Brillante's mistake in midfield and released Santalab for an angled finish.
The Sky Blues got on the scoresheet when le Fondre notched his 11th goal of the season from just outside the area.
Perth are 11/4 to win the Grand Final.
The Glory are 7/10 to win their next game against Western Sydney, who are 7/2 with the draw 3/1.
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Perth Glory have moved six points clear at the top of the A-League with a 3-1 win against Sydney FC at HBF Park.
Tony Popovic's side scored all their goals in the first half, with Joel Chianese grabbing a double and Brendon Santalab scoring his first goal of the season.
Adam le Fondre pulled a goal back midway through the second half for the Sky Blues, who have won the Premier's Plate in the last two seasons.
But coach Steve Corica conceded they had given themselves too much to do to get back into the match.
The Glory snapped a nine-game losing streak against Sydney FC, and after 12 rounds they have only suffered one defeat.
Popovic, asked after the game to sum up the performance, said: "Great intensity, great football and disciplined defensively. It was an all-round great 45 minutes and I'm glad they got the three goals they deserved.
"I think we've played as well as that, without getting the rewards. It was a very confident, dominant display against an excellent team."
The coach added: "In our last home game we lost to them and I think it's quite clear the improvement we've made since then."
Perth went ahead when Chianese slid the ball past keeper Andrew Redmayne to finish off a move that had seen Jason Davidson play a neat one-two with Diego Castro.
Chianese was just too high with a shot moments later after being teed up by Castro, before making it 2-0 in the 24th minute.
Neil Kilkenny came up with the sublime assist, Chianese chesting the ball down neatly and slotting home.
Castro curled a shot over after Santalab's clever lay-off, before the third goal arrived via Santalab.
Chianese seized upon Josh Brillante's mistake in midfield and released Santalab for an angled finish.
The Sky Blues got on the scoresheet when le Fondre notched his 11th goal of the season from just outside the area.
Perth are 11/4 to win the Grand Final.
The Glory are 7/10 to win their next game against Western Sydney, who are 7/2 with the draw 3/1.
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Source: bet365.com