Sky Blues reign after gripping grand final

THAT’S five.

Sydney FC has now won the most A-League titles in the competition’s history after outlasting Melbourne City in a 120-minute thriller at Bankwest Stadium that finished 1-0.

It was Sydney’s mulleted man, Rhyan Grant, who was the unlikely deadlock-breaker in the 100th minute as the Sky Blues, who have now gone back-to-back, finally found a way past a heroic Tom Glover in goals in extra-time.

Looking for their maiden title, Melbourne City started stronger and was unlucky not to take the lead, before Sydney’s experience came to the fore.

After five shots in the opening 10 minutes, and a shot cleared off the line from Craig Noone, City thought it had finally broken the deadlock in the 18th minute, until VAR intervened.

A Harrison Delbridge strike from just outside the box beat Andrew Redmayne but after further consideration, referee Chris Beath decided Lachlan Wales, in an offside position, impaired the Sydney goalkeeper’s eyesight.

Not long after, Sydney striker Adam le Fondre appeared to be brought down by Curtis Good in the box. The penalty shouts were ignored by Beath, and backed up by VAR.

The Sky Blues looked far more comfortable after the break, growing into the game and taking control.

Milos Ninkovic had a golden chance when sent through on goal in the 62nd minute but he couldn’t get it past Glover.

Glover once again denied Sydney in the 89th minute.

Sydney FC finally found the answer in the 100th minute when a Luke Brattan pass was turned in by Grant, via his chest.