A double from in-form striker Kerem Bulut ensured Sydney FC was not rueing a missed penalty as the Sky Blues upset Adelaide United 3-1 in an eventful Youth League encounter at the SFS.
Bulut struck either side of half-time to take his 2009/10 goal tally to 10, breaking a 1-1
deadlock in an end-to-end affair.
Rhyan Grant sealed the deal with a third goal 17 minutes from time before being red carded shortly after for a second bookable offence.
The victory lifts Sydney to fourth spot, a point behind Adelaide.
The second half goals saved Chris Payne from a sleepless night after the forward’s 54th minute penalty was directed onto the right post by keeper Mark Birighitti.
The Reds rode their luck at times, grabbing a goal deep into first half injury time in controversial circumstances.
Francesco Monterosso’s back-post header was goal-bound but appeared to be raked back on the line by Sydney’s Sam Munro.
There were muted celebrations from the visitors, unsure whether the goal had crossed the line in the air, while the Sky Blues attempted to play on.
But after consulting his linesman, referee Kurt Ams awarded the goal, waving away Sydney’s protest.
The second half opened in dramatic fashion when Ams pointed to the spot after ruling Birighitti had brought down Joel Chianese inside the area.
It looked a questionable decision and perhaps justice was served when Payne’s spot kick was directed onto the left post by Birighitti.
Bulut’s first goal had earlier given the hosts the lead deep into the first half.
Blessed with a real nose for goal, the striker latched onto a poor back pass from Robert Cornthwaite, rounding Birighitti and rolling the ball into an empty net.
Cornthwaite almost made up for his blue straight away, a 37th minute header sailing just over the bar.
He also watched as an on-target header was cleared off the line by Antony Golec shortly after.
Monterosso’s late reply gave Adelaide something to take to the break.
But the second half began with Sydney asking most of the questions.
Payne should have out the home side up for the second time but could only shake his head in disbelief after failing to convert his 54th minute penalty attempt.
Bulut made up for the miss shortly after, slotting home his 10th goal of the campaign before Grant added a third to return the Sky Blues to the winner’s list after a last-up loss to Central Coast.
Sydney FC 3
Bulut (34m, 65m)
Grant (73m)
Adelaide United 1
Monterosso (45m)
