Western United have won an eight-goal thriller against Western Sydney Wanderers giving their finals hopes a massive boost.
United began on the front foot in Sydney’s wet conditions and were rewarded after just seven minutes, as Josh Risdon met Max Burgess’ cross to head home the opener.
The lead was doubled shortly after with Risdon involved again, playing in Besart Berisha who tapped home from inside the six-yard box.
Alessandro Diamanti added a third shortly after the break, superbly chipping the ball over Wanderers keeper Tristan Prendergast.
The Wanderers clawed their way back into the match through Mitch Duke, who headed past Filip Kurto at the back post to reduce United’s lead.
Tass Mourdoukoutas added another with a clever backheel, before Duke notched his second of the match with a clincial left-footed volley, completing a three-goal comeback in 12 minutes.
Max Burgess ensured more drama just minutes later however, pouncing on a Wanderers error and finishing a 1-on-1 to hand United the lead back.
The points were secure when Diamanti provided one of the moments of the season with another stunning chip goal, helping United to a 5-3 victory.
Western United move into seventh on the A-League table with the win with two games in hand over sixth-placed Adelaide United.
Western United 5 (Risdon 7′, Berisha 19′, Diamanti 52′ 87′, Burgess 84′)
Western Sydney Wanderers 3 (Duke 69′ 82′, Mourdoukoutas 76′)
