SYDNEY (AP) — Brisbane edged ahead in a tightening race for first place in the A-League on Sunday when it rallied for a 2-1 win over 10-man Newcastle.
The win moved Brisbane atop the table but only one point clear of Adelaide United, which is a point ahead of third-place Western Sydney Wanderers. Melbourne City is a further point back in fourth.
City missed a chance to join Brisbane on 47 points when it lost 3-2 to fifth-place Perth in the final match of the round on Sunday.
Former Ireland international Andy Keogh scored for the eighth match in a row — an Australian national league record — as Perth took charge of the match with three goals in 15 minutes of the second half. City rallied with two goals of its own but too late to save the match.
Brisbane will face sixth-place Melbourne Victory in next weekend's final round to decide the Premier's Plate while Adelaide is away to Melbourne City and Western Sydney faces ninth-place Wellington.
Starting in third place Sunday, Brisbane fell behind to a 50th-minute penalty to Leonardo after a hand ball. Substitute Henrique sparked Brisbane's comeback, setting up goals by Henrique — from the penalty spot in the 67th minute — and Thomas Broich seven minutes later.
The top six teams to contest the playoffs is clearly established with nine points separating the sixth-place Melbourne Victory from seventh-place Sydney FC.
