Sydney FC have closed the gap on the top four in the A-League after cruising to a 5-1 win at Central Coast Mariners.
Marc Janko netted twice and provided an assist, while the scoring at the Central Coast Stadium was completed by strikes from Chris Naumoff, Bernie Ibini-Isei and Alex Brosque, with Travis Major getting a consolation for the home side.
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After a cagey opening, Sydney slowly began to get on top before taking the lead on 16 minutes when Alex Gersbach crossed to the back post for Janko to drill a low effort into the back of the net.
Two minutes later, the visitors doubled their advantage when another delivery into the penalty area found Naumoff, who side-footed home his first goal in the A-League.
Sydney were soon on the offensive looking for a third and after he had previously gone close, Ibini-Isei struck against his former side a minute before the break when cutting inside onto his favoured foot before firing the ball past the goalkeeper.
The Mariners needed a response soon after the restart but just three minutes into the second half, they fell 4-0 adrift as Janko scored his second to effectively end the contest with over 40 minutes still remaining.
Sydney have opportunities for a fifth but midway through the half, Central Coast got on the scoresheet after Joshua Rose's bursting run and cross provided Major with the chance to tap home from close range.
Any hopes of an unlikely comeback were ended six minutes later when Sydney added their fifth. After Ibini-Isei and Janko combined in the final third, the ball was passed on to Brosque, who provided a confident first-time finish from inside the box.
Matt Simon almost scored a second for Central Coast but Sydney's winning margin remained at four as they strengthened their hold of fifth position.
Darren Plant
