Brisbane Roar finally registered their first win of the A-League season as they denied Melbourne City the chance to go top of the table on Friday.
The Roar had only collected three points from their opening six games but instantly doubled that tally with a 3-1 win at Suncorp Stadium, lifting them off the foot of the table.
In a repeat of last season's semi-final – which Melbourne won 1-0 – it was Brisbane who enjoyed the upper hand, Avraam Papadopoulos putting them ahead after five minutes.
The defender beat Eugene Galekovic to a second ball after Iacopo La Rocca had failed to clear a left-wing cross, leaving Papadopoulos to head into the unguarded net.
Melbourne missed a host of chances to level and were duly punished before the break as Eric Bautheac grabbed his first A-League goal from Massimo Maccarone's assist.
That maiden goal November 17, 2017
Stefan Mauk halved Melbourne's deficit nine minutes after the restart after being given a free run on goal, the forward beating Jamie Young low down at his near post.
With 20 minutes to play Brisbane restored their two-goal advantage as more questionable defending presented Papadopoulos with his second.
Galekovic dropped a deep free-kick in the six-yard box and it eventually fell to Papadopoulos, who pounced to seal all three points.
‘Arteta, Alonso, Emery, me… none of us were physical players – we needed the understanding of the game. That probably helped us move into management’: Premier League boss reveals reasons for natural career progression
‘England have the players to win the World Cup – it’ll be tough for Thomas Tuchel to do a bad job, with the squad he has at his disposal’ Former Three Lions winger backs new boss after gentle qualifying draw
