Perth 3 v Victory 1: Victory stumble- Thompson forced to do it all

Jerry Karpeh is looking like a great buy for Perth - speedy and with a great sense of timing and a great cross. Came on at half time and had an immediate impact flying after a long ball down the right to centre for Rukavytsya to score his second.

With Sydney with a game in hand after yesterday's rain-out at Central Coast - Melbourne are struggling to stay intouch with the 4.

Next week's game of the round could be Sunday's Roar v CCM. CCM will be without Hutchinson and Petroski whose suspensions have carried over. Moore is likely to be back for the Roar - but what does Frank have up his sleeve upfront to produce goals from the left?

Zullo looks likely to miss most of the rest of the season

Maybe proving that he can jump 2 metres off the ground wasn't such a good idea.

Time to buy a marquee striker as cover (to recover the crowd interest) or how about Mark Bridge from his wasteland at Newcastle?

Roar 0 - Newcastle 1: ref error denies Roar

In the first round match-up between Newcastle and the Roar very late in the game Stewart McLaren's leg went and he brought down Joel Griffiths in front of a crowed Roar penalty area. Mclaren gets his second yellow - his off and out for some weeks - and Griffiths scores from the outside the box free kick. OK fair cop

So when did the rules change?

Tonight, Adam Griffiths deliberately hacked down Matt Mckay - who had only a stranded keeper to beat. Peter Green points to the spot. But no red or yellow card (which would equal a red for Griffiths who was carded in 15 minute). Surely he was the last and beaten defender?

The early game 'play on' decisions as Robbie Kruse was hacked about were outrageous.

Allowing a roughhouse team to kill off attacks with such foul play is hurting the A-League at the gate-take.

Oh and the A-League's biggest secret, or unmentionable issue, is that Mario Jardel cannot play. He hardly won a ball, he can't run and even Reddy backed himself to win a ball from him by running a good 10 metres out of his penalty area.

Sydney 5 v LA Galaxy 3: Beckham delivers

Last night David Beckham achieved the FFA's goals and more. 80,000 in the stadium, millions on free to air channel 10 and millions more across Asia watched the soring highs and lows of a classic match.

Even nightmare scenario one, a Sydney FC player crashing into Beckham's ankle added to, rather than ended, the drama. A few times we saw him wince at poor positioning and passing from his team mates, but his commitment could not be questioned. And of course there was that goal.

LA Galaxy have exciting attack and rubbish defence and goalkeeping - perhaps it was jetlag? Anyway, there was a message in that for the A-League - a five 3 defeat is more glorious for fans than 4 low scoring draws.

As for John Kosmina, for all his bravado last night may have been Sydney FC's match of the season, particularly if they don't make the finals.

The standout for the night was Juninho - he is a big match player and how. He gifted Alex Brosque 2 goals when Galaxy were on top in the first quarter of the game.

Hats off to channel 10. Great presentation, sound commentary (even if we don't have touchlines in football) - they did well and showcased the game.

Surprise of the night - guest commentary by Kevin Muscat - perhaps the best A-League player available given his on-field behaviour. I also enjoyed the half time work by Anthony LaPalia - or Pago as written on his back when reliving his Adelaide City days in goals against Beckham some time before the game.

LA Galaxy's Kevin Harmse was clown of the night - kicking down Juninho and deliberately treading his studs into Sydney FC's right wing Biddle's forearm.

Sydney 0 v Roar 0, Newcastle 0 v CCM 0: The last remake of Dario Jardel

The Newcastle fans are amazing. The appear to have infinite patience. But it can't last. Super Mario was given the maximum windup for the central NSW derby - perform or go, even that made him look like the bull in a bull fight. He was cheered for every pass, every chest down, for running off in the 57th, arms raised. But no goals, nothing like one. And as the match wore on he got slower... And now he is apparently under investigation for an eye gouge...

Just how long will Newcastle leave out the very talented 22 year old Mark Bridge? Running with the ball and into spaces he is as good as any. He is reported to be in dispute over his pay for next season with both Sydney and Central Coast with their hands up.

Passar, passar em, passar por.. nao chumbo, tentativa

No, I just can't get around Portuguese Brazilian. Robbie Kruse found himself just waiting in and around the attacking third - while other options like shooting yourself were perferred. Marcinho looks exciting and always pushing the ball forward, but if only he'd pass rather than shoot, let Robbie take it?

According to Frank Farina, Andrew Packer can wear his red with pride. However, Alex Brosque seems to have become a diver. And Michael Bridges was very lucky to stay on the park in the 39th when he kicked out at Sasa Ognenovski - after 'I don't do tricks - Sasa had turned and got away from Bridges.

Victory 1 v Wellington 1: The last days of Kevin 02?

Kevin Muscat is the Victory's key play maker. For three years he has held the middle of the park. He has organised the defence and primed Thompson and Allsopp for goals. Muscat keeps opposing strikers in check, with the odd click of the leg and elbow thrown in.

This year Muscat has been one of the walking wounded, bandages to the head, arms and legs (not all at once). When he isn't there, through injury or suspension, Melbourne struggle to get the ball into attacking positions. Against the Roar in Round 13, Thompson had to repeatedly return to deep in his own half to run the ball forward.

However, when he is on the pitch he is now well known to refs. And with his biomechanics slowing, his tricky moves often catch an unwanted eye, making him, like Tony Popovic, susceptible to divers and refs error... or even being caught out.

A-League: Adelaide 1 v Perth 1

Adelaide are clearly suffering from injuries and Olyroo duty. It was a scrappy match that Adelaide couldn't hold onto after Richie Alagich's solo effort just before half time. High points were:

- Jamie Harnwell's 200th game and a headed (or head butted as my team calls it) goal from a free kick. He made it clear he wants another year in his post match interview.
- Be interesting to see just what the tie-up with Manchester City means for Perth.
- Perth's James Downey was the standout on the pitch making many runs down the right with the ball at his feet. But he needs to learn either a step to get around defenders or an improved passing game.
- www.movember.com.au Ref Peter O'Leary had a better game than Adelaide fans give him credit for

Low points:
- a disappointing crowd - under 11,000
- the number of Adelaide's names that didn't play including Bobby Petta and Cassio
- lack of spark to the game