Melbourne Victory will head into the international break as outright A-League Men leaders after Socceroos Nishan Velupillay and Jason Geria delivered a 2-0 win over Brisbane Roar.
Patrick Kisnorbo's Victory (3-1-0) sit top of the table after four games, with 10 points their best opening month since 2014-15, when they ultimately won the double under Kevin Muscat.
Even the ever-stoic Kisnorbo couldn't help but crack a smile when asked about the impressive start.
"Stats are stats," he said.
"I didn't know that.
"Look, great for the club, but for me, we've got to focus and try to get better and better every day."
Victory's win, their third on the bounce, was their first over Brisbane since November 2021, after the Roar went unbeaten in their previous seven clashes.
Kisnorbo delighted in a resolute defensive performance given Brisbane had 63 per cent of possession.
"It was great to see that the players dug in today in a different type of match than we're probably used to," he said.
"It could have been very easy, to stop and take our foot off the pedal and not defend as a collective, but we did, and it was great to see that."
Kisnorbo named an unchanged line-up and for a second consecutive game, left Bruno Fornaroli out of his squad altogether in favour of Nikos Vergos and Jing Reec.
"To be fair, he's been really good," Kisnorbo said.
"He's been engaged, he's been working really hard.
"So again, unfortunately, he was left out today. But it doesn't mean anything, it's just a game - things change.
"In pre-season, we looked at a few things, and then Bruno started round one. So things change in football very quickly."
Victory burst to life in the 37th minute when Piscopo took possession, danced around Hosine Bility and cut the ball back - nutmegging Ben Warland - for Velupillay to tap home with the outside of his boot.
In the 45th minute, Victory goalkeeper Jack Duncan saved Thomas Waddingham's close-range shot in a rare Roar chance.
Victory doubled their lead when Ryan Teague looped in a wonderful corner and Geria headed home before running away kissing the badge.
Brisbane, who looked toothless in attack, were unable to find an opening.
"We just lack that little bit of quality in those moments to execute and that shows," coach Ruben Zadkovich said.
Both teams now have the international break, with Geria and Velupillay heading into camp for Australia's games against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
Victory return to action against Wellington on November 24, while last-placed Brisbane (0-0-3) play Adelaide on November 23.
"Obviously, it's been a tough start for us not being able to get points," Zadkovich said.
"... But we have context of our club situation: where we are in this build, how many changes, we've had into the squad, the start of the season we've had.
"It was never going to be easy for us and we've got a longer-term vision and plan that we're very resolute in sticking to, and our belief doesn't waver in tough times."
