They were labelled boring, dull by pundits and their own worst enemy by rival coach Tony Walmsley having surrendered results in recent weeks but the Sky Blues hit back at critics in some fashion, putting four goals past a hapless Central Coast Mariners.Â
Even though it required an own goal and two penalties for Sydney FC to thump their once rivals, it was no less than they deserved with a performance that made light work of the struggling club. If anything, the nature of the capitulation from Central Coast provided a sense of revenge for Graham Arnold whose tactics were brought into question by Walmsley in the build-up to the match, described as not having evolved in years.Â
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Sydney FC victory comes at a cost
Sydney FC finished the year on a high with a comfortable 4-1 win over Central Coast but it may have come at a price with skipper Alex Brosque re-injuring his hamstring.
More importantly, it was the scoreline Sydney were crying out for after recent results threatened to derail their title hopes. In keeping within six points of league leaders Western Sydney Wanderers, the Sky Blues final game of the year set them on course for a chase of their rivals but more imminently, ridded them of frustration of winning just one of their seven previous games.Â
Any fears the worst team in the league would emerge as a banana peel for the inconsistent Sydney FC were dashed just minutes into the match.Â
![Easy win: Alex Brosque celebrates with George Blackwood after his second goal.](/web/20161020072112im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/v/9/h/i/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.glv8d2.png/1451183281455.jpg)
Sydney FC's Milos Ninkovic split the Mariners' defence with a superb pass early for Andrew Hoole and when Paul Izzo smothered the shot, it fell only so far as Alex Brosque's feet. WIth an open net in front of him, Sydney's captain was never going to miss, bringing joy to a previously frustrated set of fans.Â
A horror moment for Jake McGing gave Sydney FC the opportunity double their lead with a penalty. After first losing the ball on the edge of his area, McGing compounded his error by clumsily tripping over Ninkovic to give Brosque a chance to double his tally from the spot.Â
It was a bitter sweet moment for Sydney FC whose captain's night came to an abrupt end immediately after netting his brace. A hamstring injury forced him straight down the tunnels to a standing ovation after lasting just 25 minutes.Â
Nevertheless the Mariners woes worsened. Even without their captain's influence, Sydney FC were in red-hot form while the Central Coast just saw red. Brandon O'Neill's defence-splitting through ball to George Blackwood couldn't find his intended target as goalkeeper Paul Izzo sent the Sky Blues' striker tumbling in the box with a poorly-timed dived.Â
![Double trouble: Mickael Tavares dispatches Sydney's second penalty of the contest.](/web/20161020072112im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/v/9/h/k/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.glv8d2.png/1451183281455.jpg)
Referee Ben Williams did not hesitate showing Izzo a second yellow having earlier booked him for dissent. In awarding Sydney FC a spot kick, Williams provided 18-year-old Thomas Heward-Belle with a baptism of fire in his A-League debut facing Mickael Tavares from the spot in front of The Cove. Although the teenager read Tavares' shot well, he couldn't prevent Sydney scoring their third.Â
Sydney FC lost their concentration momentarily allowing Harry Ascroft to score unmarked in the box. However,  did little to lift the spirits of the Mariners who appeared slumped and void of confidence during thier half-time team talk and the resulting performance attested to that body language.
Even while playing in second-gear, Sydney FC toyed with the Mariners, gaining ground at ease with chances unravelling at their own doing rather than from stern defending.Â
Sydney were almost pedestrian in the second half and against the bottom-placed club with a numerical advantage, they didn't need to be in any greater pace. Training-like routines unlocked the Mariners defence and Andrew Hoole missed a sitter late in the game. It didn't matter, far from a hare's pace, Sydney FC made it four when Rhyan Grant's cross was deflected by McGing into his own net, extending the festive season for the 12,648 mostly Sydney fans.
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