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Perth floors Victory to go seven points clear

Perth Glory pulled off a fine smash-and-grab in the first A-League fixture in Geelong, downing Melbourne Victory 2-1 to go seven points clear on top of the A-League.

Nebojsa Marinkovic was Perth’s match-winner, setting up goals for Glory strikers Andy Keogh and Chris Harold within the first 20 minutes.

Besart Berisha found a reply from the penalty spot on 57 minutes but Perth denied Victory in front of 21,289 fans at Simonds Stadium.

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The result is Perth’s tenth without defeat, giving them a firm grip on the A-League premiership one match before the Asian Cup hiatus.

On a sweltering Victorian day, the match kicked off at 37 degrees.

It took just 10 minutes for Victory to feel the heat on the scoreboard.

Marinkovic’s perfectly weighted through-ball caught out Adrian Leijer, giving Keogh a sight of goal.

As Leijer challenged, the Irishman finished smartly past Nathan Coe at the back post.

Plaudits should also go to Ruben Zadkovich who began the move in style, spinning with the ball to flummox two Victory midfielders before leaving Marinkovic to finish.

Just seven minutes later, Victory’s task was made harder after an incisive Perth broke away.

Marinkovic steered clear of of tough tackles to release Harold, who rounded the on-rushing Nathan Coe and sweep home.

From that point, Victory commenced their unlikely recovery mission, dominating both possession and chances.

Fine footwork between Victory’s forwards gave Archie Thompson a one-on-one chance but the veteran’s shot was well saved by Danny Vukovic.

Victory’s resurgence was primarily orchestrated by Gui Finkler and Besart Berisha.

Vukovic grew increasingly frustrated with his under-pressure defence but they stood firm as Victory’s efforts in the heat brought no reward.

Without in-form Tunisian Fahid Ben Khalfallah, Victory turned to their grafter Leigh Broxham for a response.

Broxham found Finkler in the box, whose run was impeded by Scott Jamieson for a penalty scored by Berisha.

The chances kept coming for Victory, with Kosta Barbarouses unsure what to do with the ball at his feet and Vukovic off his line.

A second-half drinks break was ordered with the mercury still at 34 degrees.

Thompson headed against the bar from a Finkler corner on 74 minutes, and Berisha ruffled the side netting with five minutes remaining but Glory’s defensive resolve was stronger than Victory’s attacking efforts.

– AAP

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