Perth Glory v Melbourne City
A-League Men
13-8-5, 47 PTS
3
13-8-5, 47 PTS
FT
9-8-9, 35 PTS
1
9-8-9, 35 PTS
Jamie Maclaren - 42', 65', 87'
Aaron Mooy - 52'
Paulo Retre - 45'
Jamie Maclaren hits hat trick as Perth Glory ease to win over Melbourne City
Robert Prezioso/Getty Images
Jamie Maclaren's hat trick powered Perth Glory to within three points of the A-League summit on Sunday with a 3-1 win over 10-man Melbourne City.
Despite having Paulo Retre sent off on the stroke of half-time, City had been able to cancel out Maclaren's 42nd-minute opener through Aaron Mooy seven minutes into the second half.
However, Maclaren scored again in the 65th and 87th minutes to put Perth on 47 points, level with second-placed Sydney and three behind leaders Melbourne Victory.
But Perth will automatically be demoted to seventh and out of the playoff places at the end of the season after breaching salary cap rules.