Melbourne Victory have sent an ominous warning to the rest of the Hyundai A-League, crushing Western Sydney Wanderers 4-0 on Saturday night.
The champions put on an attacking masterclass at Marvel Stadium, putting the result beyond doubt by half-time as they scored all three goals inside 39 minutes.
While they took their foot off the gas after the break, Terry Antonis added a fourth late on to make it four straight wins for Kevin Muscat’s men.
Victory were on the front foot from the outset, with only a superb save from Vedran Janjetovic denying Ola Toivonen a goal just three minutes in.
But just eight minutes later the home side got the breakthrough.
Toivonen and Antonis combined on the left, with the latter’s chipped cross to the far post met by a forceful header by Honda into the far corner of the net.
Spaniard Raul Baena doubled the lead just after the half-hour mark, showing great composure to beat Tarek Elrich in the box and then slot the ball past Janjetovic.
Victory were rampant at this stage and were gifted a third just before the break.
Elrich hauled down Barbarouses in the box, with the New Zealand international picking himself up to slot home from the penalty spot.
The Wanderers improved in the second half but still conceded a fourth late on as Antonis finished off a flowing team move to cap a stunning display by Victory.
