Sydney FC have announced themselves as Auckland's nearest challengers for the A-League Men premiership after thrashing Macarthur 3-0.
In a game that kicked off with temperatures approaching 40C, Sydney withstood an early test to claim victory at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Saturday's win moves Sydney into second spot - three points clear of third-placed Macarthur and two points behind league-leading Auckland.
And after being publicly criticised by club great Alex Brosque for their style of play in last week's 1-1 draw away to Melbourne City, this week's entertainment was much easier on the eye.
"The criticism is always going to be there," said Sydney coach Ufuk Talay.
"We want to play well and also want to win games by playing good football, but putting the two together is never easy.
"We understand what club we're at and what the expectation is."
Talay's side showed that even if they are down on troops, they have the ability to outgun most teams in the competition.
What was most pleasing for Talay was that two of his imports got on the scoresheet as the injured duo of star winger Joe Lolley and Al Hassan Toure watched on from the sidelines.
Peruvian playmaker Piero Quispe nabbed his first goal in Sydney colours, and Spanish striker Victor Campuzano did well to turn home a second-half header.
"There been a lot of criticism for visa players to come in and score 20 goals a season," Talay said.
"The first year is always the adapting season. Some kick it off and go very well from the start, and some take a little while to hit their straps."
Patrick Wood scored Sydney's third goal in the 62nd minute after being involved in the build-up for Quispe's first-half opener.
Wood dropped deep to receive and then chose to spread the ball to the right flank, where Sydney captain Rhyan Grant drilled in a low cross.
Quispe steadied the ball before turning and lashing the ball past Macarthur goalkeeper Filip Kurto.
Wood forced a low save from Kurto to round out the half, but there was little the Polish shot-stopper could do when Campuzano doubled Sydney's lead two minutes into the second half.
The Spaniard made a darting near-post run where he was able to head a Ben Garuccio free-kick beyond Kurto's reach and into the back of the net.
Wood ensured there would be no Macarthur fightback when he rampaged through the Bulls' defence, burned Kristian Popovic and rocketed the ball past Kurto.
"It was definitely a disappointing performance," said Macarthur coach Mile Sterjovski.
"We were second to everything and it was hard to take. We just didn't turn up today. Hopefully it's a bit of a wake-up call."
