Sydney FC 2 Brisbane Roar 0: 10-man Sky Blues extend lead

Sydney moved 10 points clear at the top of the A-League as Alex Brosque and Milos Ninkovic secured a 2-0 victory over Brisbane Roar.

The league leaders did not have it all their own way, though, and had to play the final 25 minutes with 10 men after Brosque was shown a red card for two bookable offences.

After a frenetic start, the game finally had its opening goal with nine minutes of the first half remaining.

Bobo got a bit of luck with a ricochet on the halfway line and took full advantage with a surging run towards the Brisbane penalty area before finding Brosque, who slotted home his eighth of the season.

Despite falling behind it was Brisbane who finished the half strongly and, but for the heroics of Sydney goalkeeper Danny Vukovic, they would have been level.

The 31 year-old produced two fine saves to deny Jamie MacLaren and Dimitri Petratos before the break, while the latter also blazed a glorious chance wide.

The boys celebrate with @TheCove23 post-match!! #SydneyIsSkyBlue #SYDvBRI pic.twitter.com/JBoPr9GjG3

— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) December 30, 2016

Sydney extended their lead when Ninkovic converted from another Bobo assist after 62 minutes, the midfielder sweeping the ball home to double the hosts’ advantage.

They were made to battle for the three points, though, after Brosque earned a second yellow card three minutes later for a challenge on Luke DeVere.

With a man advantage Brisbane dominated the closing minutes but were unable to find a way through as they slipped to a first defeat since October.