Auckland FC have bounced back from their midweek loss to Perth Glory sweeping aside Melbourne City 3-0 to temporarily move back to the top of the A-League.
The home side took the lead in stunning fashion in the 32nd minute when Uruguay player Guillermo May bent a brilliant curling effort into the top corner from the edge of the box to make it 1-0.
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Now full of confidence, Auckland then added a second on the approach to half-time as defender Nando Pijnaker thumped a left-footed strike high into the roof of the net following a scramble inside the City box.
Controlling a bouncing ball inside the box, Pijnaker shifted the ball onto his trusty left foot before rifling one past Beach and into the roof of the net.
Things got even better for the Auckland in first-half stoppage time when Max Mata converted from close range, tapping home the loose ball from a corner to all but seal the three points.
Despite making several changes in the second-half Steve Corica’s Auckland FC had plenty of chances to extend their lead as Melbourne City shot-stopper Beach was called into action on several occasions.
One positive for Melbourne City will be the fact Socceroo Mathew Leckie gained more match minutes as he continues to his journey back to full fitness following a hamstring injury.
The result, the eighth win of the season moves Auckland back to the top of the A-League.