Sydney FC have maintained their unbeaten record for the 2016/17 A-League season courtesy of the inspirational super substitute David Carney.

The come-from-behind 2-1 win in front of nearly 20,000 fans at Allianz Stadium sees the Sky Blues maintain top position on the ladder.

The victory came thanks to two second half goals from crowd favourite Carney, the first courtesy of a clearcut handball.

The sucker-punch was enough to offset an impressive Melbourne Victory outfit who were dominant for many periods throughout the ninety minutes.

The fixture opened with the ball lobbing into the net in the 8th minute, courtesy of a Besart Berisha deflection but a narrow offside call raised delight in the singing home fans.

@SydneyFC @ALeague @aleaguescoop I’m in Melbourne at a sports bar,& all the MV fans jumped up… til they realised it was offside #SYDvMVC

— Salvatore Borraccino (@DEATHSTARE70) November 5, 2016

On the 13th minute a gift rolled in front of Marco Rojas from a crisp Berisha pass in a golden opportunity for Victory but Rojas could not finish the chance.

13′ Chance! @mitchaustin10 with a brilliant ball to Marco Rojas, who fires wide. That was close #SYDvMVC 0-0 #ALeague pic.twitter.com/SiBM7UETK9

— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) November 5, 2016

Can’t even remember the last time Marco Rojas missed such a great chance on his birthday. #SYDvMVC

— Ned Zelic (@NedZelic) November 5, 2016

Melbourne had another chance in the 24th minute wiht a penalty awarded to Berisha for being dragged down in the penalty area, but the Albanian embarrassingly blazed the spot-kick over the crossbar for Allianz Stadium and the Sydney FC players to erupt as one.

Berisha had the chance to end Sydney’s record hopes, instead sends it into orbit like Baggio. Was sure he would score. #SYDvMVC #ALeague

— Justin Civitillo (@JC_Kazama) November 5, 2016

The formidable Sky Blues defensive wall was finally breached for its first time in the season with Rojas cutting in a ball from the byline to find speedy Mitch Austin to nail the finish.

41′ GOAL! Marco Rojas breaches the @SydneyFC defence & finds @mitchaustin10, who buries it! Come on! #SYDvMVC 0-1 #ALeague pic.twitter.com/Pp322M3BE9

— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) November 5, 2016

What on earth was Wilko doing?? Ballwatching big time #BigBlue #SYDvMVC

— Clement Tito (@ClementGTito) November 5, 2016

The throw-in of the season from Michael Zullo in the 63rd minute sent Brosque forward to the byline with a crisp left foot assist to super substitute David Carney, who controlled the ball off the chest and his hand then toed it through the defence for a monumental goal to equalise the clash.

Brilliant control & finish by Carney …made by the angry itchy bearded one …but wait was there a hand used? #BigBlue #SYDvMVC

— Four Diegos (@fourdiegos) November 5, 2016

What a first touch with the arm. #SYDvMVC #aleague pic.twitter.com/1xDUlIpIgS

— Neil Sherwin (@neilsherwin) November 5, 2016

Rhyann Grant had been sensational for Sydney FC,with the energetic right back racing up and down his sideline all fixture and made a sensational last ditch clearance over his own goals in the 76th minute to end a dangerous Victory attack.

The same man only minutes later changed the game with a calm cutback to the left boot of Carney in a crowded penalty area who finessed a classy finish into the netting to give the home side the lead for the first time all clash on the 77th minute.

A few last minute scares from the travelling Victory amounted to nothing with the fiery derby ending in an impressive 2-1 victory to the home side with the travelling Melbourne side only able to take delight in scoring the sole goal against Sydney in the opening five rounds.

Good result @SydneyFC given 1st half. Well done Arnold & co. Carney brilliant.The undefeated streak continues. #BigBlue #sydvmvc #ALeague

— Robert Grasso (@RobertGrasso) November 5, 2016

Sydney FC 2 (Carney 63’, 77’)
Melbourne Victory 1 (Austin 41’)
Allianz Stadium

Referee: Chris Beath
Assistant Referees: Ryan Gallagher & Lance Greenshields
Fourth Official: Stephen Lucas

Sydney FC: 20. VUKOVIC Danny (GK), 23.GRANT Rhyan, 4.WILKINSON Alex 5.JURMAN Matt, 7.ZULLO Michael (22.RYALL Sebastian 90+2’), 6.BRILLANTE Joshua, 13.O’NEILL Brandon, 21.HOLOSKO Filip (17. CARNEY, David 59’), 10.NINKOVIC Milos, 14. BROSQUE Alex (c), 9.BOBO (18.SIMON Matt 79’).

Substitutes: 1.JANJETOVIC Vedran (GK), 8.DIMITRIJEVIC, Milos,

Melbourne Victory: 20. THOMAS Lawrence (GK), 2. GERIA Jason, 4. ANSELL Nick, 6. BROXHAM Leigh (c), 7. ROJAS Marco, 8. BERISHA Besart, 10. TROISI James, 11. AUSTIN Mitchell, 15. BARO Alan, 16. MAHAZI Rashid (13. BOZANIC Oliver 70’), 22. NIGRO Stefan (17. DONACHIE James 80’).

Substitutes: 14. BEN KHALFALLAH Fahid,19. 23. INGHAM Jai, 27. BRAY Alastair (GK).