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AAP
AAP
Sport
Anna Harrington

Sydney FC beat Utd, off the mark in ALM

Adam Le Fondre's penalty has helped Sydney FC come from behind to beat Western United 3-1. (Will Murray/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Sydney FC have fought back from a goal down to beat Western United 3-1 and condemn the reigning champions to a 0-2 start to their A-League Men title defence.

United were on top early after captain Josh Risdon scored in the 17th minute while goalkeeper Jamie Young saved Adam Le Fondre's penalty in the 24th.

But Le Fondre scored his second penalty attempt to equalise in the 39th before Robert Mak's wonderful long-range strike two minutes later and Joe Lolley's brilliant 69th-minute goal sealed victory at AAMI Park.

Sydney's first win of the season proved a riotous display of the potency of their new 4-3-3 formation and their focus on dribbling wingers, with Lolley and Mak the difference.

Conversely, United's defence looked all at sea for a second consecutive game, while they were toothless in attack without striker Aleksandar Prijovic.

Sydney had the game's first clear chance when Le Fondre smashed a powerful header into the bar in the eighth minute.

Eight minutes later, Risdon cut on to his right foot and whipped a curling shot, which deflected heavily off Patrick Yazbek and beat Sydney goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne.

Sydney had a golden opportunity to equalise on the counter in the 23rd minute, with Le Fondre about to go one-on-one with Young before United centre-back Leo Lacroix tackled him from behind.

Le Fondre received a penalty but shot straight down the middle and Young saved with his legs.

Sydney had another chance from the spot when Nikolai Topor-Stanley brought down Lolley in the 39th minute.

Le Fondre grabbed the ball immediately and smashed his spot-kick into the bottom corner.

Two minutes later, Sydney led.

Luke Brattan slipped the ball through for Mak, who cut inside onto his right boot and looped home a wonderful shot that lifted then dropped into the bottom corner.

The Sky Blues wrapped up three points when Lolley cut inside Ben Garuccio and guided a wonderful left-footed strike into the top corner.

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