Glory show their class to dispose of the Mariners

Perth Glory are one step closer to a maiden Hyundai A-League Premiership after a comfortable 3-0 win over Central Coast Mariners on Sunday night.

Looking to bounce back from a rare defeat last weekend, Tony Popovic’s men did it with ease in Gosford.

Joel Chianese, Dino Djulbic and Neil Kilkenny were the goalscorers for the visitors, who move back out to a six-point lead at the top of the ladder to Sydney FC.



With just three rounds to go – and with a far superior goal difference – Glory will all but secure the Premiers’ Plate with a win over Newcastle Jets in Perth next weekend.

But they’ll be sweating on the fitness of star attacker Chris Ikonomidis, who had to leave the field in the first half after dislocating his shoulder.

Glory flexed their muscles from the outset and were in front inside the opening 12 minutes.

WATCH: Chianese scores the opener in Gosford!

After exchanging passes with Andy Keogh on the edge of the box, Chianese cut back onto his left boot and produced a clinical finish past Ben Kennedy for his fifth goal of the campaign.

The Mariners had a couple of encouraging moments but the visitors doubled their lead before the break through Djulbic.

The giant defended bullied Matt Simon before rising highest to head in Kilkenny’s corner for his first goal in the Hyundai A-League since 2015.

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Ikonomidis’ injury saw him replaced at the break by Diego Castro and the Spanish maestro won his side a penalty 11 minutes after the restart which Kilkenny duly dispatched.

It was almost four soon after when Juande was denied by the feet of Ben Kennedy and the post, while the Mariners also hit the woodwork late on.