The Crossbar: Manny Muscat, a goal for the ages.

The Mariners are now 11 points clear of the chasing pack so why aren't we seeing the same level of fawning that was attached to the Roar last season?  Mid week they beat contenders Melbourne Heart 1-0 at the death after being convincingly out-played. They also managed to defeat a resurgent Adelaide 3-2 at home on Saturday.

Melbourne Heart managed only a single point from their back to back home games. They were by far the better team against the Mariners midweek, only denied by one of the A-League's greatest ever goalkeeping performances. The point came from a much deserved draw on Saturday night when the match against Brisbane Roar ended one all.

Manny Muscat memorabilia, limited to one.

Wellington Phoenix won their second away game in a row for the first time in the club's history with a hard fought 1-0 win on Friday night, this time against the Newcastle Jets at Ausgrid Stadium. Manny Muscat, who has waited 85 A-League games for a goal, got his reward with a classy 58th minute strike to lift the Phoenix into 3rd position. The Jets on the other hand sit second last and it just about season over for them.

Gold Coast turned up to Sydney with nothing much more to play for really, Miron gave his kids a go (9 of the 15 named players under 21 y.o.) and whilst they came up short (again) there is promising signs for the glitter strip club with Halloran scoring again. Sydney came from behind and pinched a win at the death to put a stop to their trend of conceding late goals  Bruno Cazarine handed the Sky Blues the win in the 89th minute.

Perth smashed, no, make that demoralized Melbourne in front of the Glory's biggest home crowd of the season. Perth were as good as Melbourne were bad, and Melbourne were bloody terrible. Shane Smeltz had a double by half time whilst Victory only managed two shots on goal for the game. Danny Allsopp was red carded for a studs up tackle, but considering it was on Pantelidis you would imaging that it will be rescinded.

These snuck under the Crossbar and into The Sack (Likes)

1. We flogged it to death but Mat Ryan's game against Melbourne Heart last Wednesday and subsequent nationally trending twitter hashtag #ThingMattRyanCouldStop was pretty cool.

2. Manny Muscat scoring. If only Channel 9 were covering the game, the memorabilia would be out before the 90th minute. It took him 85 games.

3. Mile Sterjovski. He's reborn, its like he's playing for a new contract or something.

4. Wellington third on the table. It's good for football.

5. W-League Semi's. Controversial, exciting, world class women's football.  

6. Miron Bleiberg saying Gold Coast's season is in the toilet

What went over the Crossbar (Dislikes)  

1.  Melbourne Victory. That was disgraceful, Anyone got Ernie's number?

2. Zejlko Kalac mic'd up. His first contribution was " can't hear you, you're breaking up" and it didn't get much better than that afterwards.

3. The Yellow Wiggle debacle. It's just the kids version of the John Kosmina story

4. Gold Coast's season being in the toilet, along with Newcastle, Adelaide and Melbourne Victory.