Three go clear at top while rest chase

A PACK is breaking away at the top of the A-League ladder after the pacesetters carried on their impressive starts.

Defending champion Sydney FC sits top, having fended off from Melbourne City, while Newcastle Jets are on track to mount a legitimate finals challenge after another goalscoring spree.

Those three teams have established a four-point break.

Sydney kicked off the round with a 1-0 win over City at AAMI Park.

Luke Wilkshire’s 59thminute goal shattered the Melbourne side’s perfect record while keeping his own side’s unbeaten streak alive.

Sydney veteran Alex Brosque said it proved it was the A-League’s team to beat.

The Jets are also undefeated after smashing Wellington Phoenix 3-0 on Saturday, Roy O’Donovan scored two goals.

Adelaide United copped its second straight loss, falling 1-0 to Perth Glory at NIB Stadium.

The Phoenix is bottom with a marginally worse goal difference than Brisbane Roar, which was held to a 0-0 draw with the Central Coast.

The round finishes tonight with the clash between Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers.

Victory is without suspended striker Besart Berisha, while James Troisi, Kosta Barbarouses and Christian Theoharous are on international duty, while the Wanderers lose Josh Risdon to the Socceroos in what will be caretaker Hayden Foxe’s final match in charge before new coach Josep Gombau starts.