A 10-man Sydney were left battered and bruised but kept that six-point lead at the summit of the A-League intact. It was no less than the Sky Blues deserved after dominating the majority of a match that, for all but the last 10 minutes, carried all the hallmarks of a classic "smash and grab" victory for City against a Sydney side determined to make a statement in outplaying their new rivals.

Their fluid mobility unravelled City's backline and they looked to have carved open the lead when Milos Ninkovic gave Rhyan Grant a shot from close range. He made no mistake, piercing a packed box with an emphatic finish into the back of the net. But his celebrations were cut short after referee Kris Griffiths-Jones spotted a deflection from Sydney striker Bobo on the goal line from an offside position, giving him no choice but to award the visitors a free kick.

City required something special to break down Sydney FC and nearly found it when former Boca Juniors star Nicolas Colazo unleashed a stunning free kick that curled in from deep. It left Danny Vukovic rooted to the spot but the ball struck the inside of the upright and somehow trickled along the line and back into play.

Stunning it may have been but Colazo's work was soon overshadowed by a remarkable moment of magic from his fellow Argentine, Fernando Brandan, in the 32nd minute. The nimble forward threaded through Sydney's defence to fire an unorthodox yet scintillating long-range strike. Brandan's dipping shot gave Vukovic no chance as it rattled the back of the net and stunned the league leaders.

It brought out the best in the Sky Blues. Milos Dimitrijevic forced a save from Dean Bouzanis from a free kick before Sydney were incensed when denied a penalty after Seb Ryall was brought down inside the box by City's Michael Jakobsen on the stroke of half-time.

Not satisfied with hurting Sydney, Brandan was out to torment them and a theatrical response to a swipe from Grant had both benches in an uproar before a delayed response to a head collision made him the target of the boo-boys.

However, it was Sydney's Josh Brillante who became the villain after being sent off in the 72nd minute for a second yellow card after a late foul on Neil Kilkenny.

Bobo risked following his teammate down the tunnel five minutes later when a careless blocking attempt left Ivan Franjic reeling with pain following a collision to his knee. City were demanding a red and before their protests died, Bobo had controversially won a late penalty.

Feeling a slight tug on his shirt from defender Jakobsen, Bobo made no attempt to withstand the forces of gravity, going down to give the Sky Blues hope for a comeback. The Brazilian made it 1-1 from the spot.