The 2011/12 A-League season is well underway and the table has taken shape with a new look at the top.
Last season's runners-up Central Coast Mariners find themselves in pole position at the turn of the year, three points clear of big improvers Melbourne Heart, who are themselves one point ahead of reigning champions Brisbane Roar who got back on the winners list after a run of five straight losses.
The week 13 round of matches started back on Thursday, December 29 with Melbourne Heart recording their fifth win on the trot with a 4-0 result over Sydney FC at the Sydney Football Stadium. Eli Babalj and Mate Dugandzic gave the visitors a two goal lead by half-time before Jason Hoffman and Alex Terra added to that in the second half as John van 't Schip's men made their title intent very clear.
On Friday, Adelaide United defeated Wellington Phoenix 2-0 to end a six-game winless streak with Bruce Djite and Antony Golec on the scoresheet a day prior to Newcastle Jets and Perth Glory playing out a 1-1 draw.
The Glory went ahead through Billy Mehmet, who was later sent off, before Francis Jeffers leveled for the Jets as both clubs remained seventh and eighth on the table.
Also on New Year's Eve, Central Coast Mariners and Gold Coast United played out a scoreless draw whilst the Roar hit back hard with a 3-1 win over Melbourne Victory who sit sixth following a third loss in their past five. Harry Kewell gave the visitors an early lead before Mitch Nichols, Rocky Visconte and Ivan Franjic struck back for the Roar whose season has been given a much-needed boost after slipping off the rails.
2011/12 A-League season scores - Week 13
Sydney FC: 0 Melbourne Heart: 4 (Eli Babalj 32', Mate Dugandzic 45', Jason Hoffman 76', Alex Terra 84') Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney - 16,007
Adelaide United: 2 (Bruce Djite 17', Antony Golec 62') Wellington Phoenix: 0 Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide - 9,739
Newcastle Jets: 1 (Francis Jeffers 61') Perth Glory: 1 (Billy Mehmet 9', red card: Mehmet 34') Ausgrid Stadium, Newcastle
Central Coast Mariners: 0 Gold Coast United: 0 Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford - 14,388
Brisbane Roar: 3 (Mitch Nichols 44', Rocky Visconte 50', Ivan Franjic 53') Melbourne Victory: 1 (Harry Kewell 3') Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane - 14,852
