Auckland FC will finish yet another weekend at the top of the A-League table after a 2-0 win against Western United at Ironbark Fields on Saturday night.
When the two sides played just prior to Christmas it was United who were 4-0 winners. The result was never going to be the same on this occasion.
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A remarkable long-range goal from Uruguayan forward Guillermo May put Auckland ahead late in the first half.
It was just three minutes later,that Max Mata made it 2-0 right on the half-time whistle..
The three-minute blitz proved pivotal in a tight battle between Auckland and Western as the visitors saw out the second half without conceding a goal to claim three points in an entertaining contest in Tarneit.
Western started the second half with purpose after John Aloisi brought Matthew Grimaldi off his bench, the creative midfielder looked to inspire the comeback with a reverse pass into the box that sent Rhys Bozinovski into space for a one-on-one with Paulsen.
A deficit-halving goal looked certain to come off Bozinovski’s boot but Paulsen produced a stellar save to keep his side two-goals ahead.