AusItalian Michael Zullo's tore Wellington Pheonix apart in an eye-catching individual display as the former Brisbane City midfielder scored one and set up another in a convincing 2-1 Queensland Roar victory.

While Pheonix coach Ricki Herbert lauded Zullo's contribution, Roar boss Frank Farina wasn't getting carried away about the performances of the both the 18-year-old winger and debutant Robbie Kruse who headed Queensland's second to ice a memorable 19th birthday.

"I've always maintained that we've got 21 players on our roster at the moment and all of them can play," he said.

"I was pleased for both Michael and Robbie that they've come in under difficult circumstances and performed well."

Zullo's non-stop running and willingness to contribute right down the flank lit up Queensland's first home victory of the campaign with the player himself confirming second-half cramps would not keep him out of contention of keeping his place against the Mariners next weekend.

The teenager fired the Roar ahead within minutes of kick-off with a pinpoint half-volley from just outside the penalty area, a strike made more memorable after it cannoned in off the underside of the bar.

But his directness also caused endless problems to the Phoenix rearguard with Reinaldo guilty of missing a gilt-edged chance cultivated from another spirited Zullo run down the left.

"A wonderful strike the first goal. I mean, I'd be playing that player every week," Herbert said unprompted of Zullo afterwards.

"He's a young boy and he could be a real excitement machine in the A-League, good on him. I think it's fantastic to see."

"At the end of the day he's had a good game … give him a pat on the back," he added.

Farina argued that despite scoring twice the volume of goalscoring chances was actually down on previous home matches and would not be drawn on whether he would retain Zullo and Kruse next Sunday at the Central Coast.

That news, though, couldn't spoil a perfect start for the good friends with Zullo admitting the pair hadn't dared dream that both would score on their full league debuts.

"That was what we were dreaming about. We never actually thought it would happen," a beaming Zullo said.

"We said imagine if and stuff like that but for it to actually happen is unbelievable."

"We've pretty much grown up playing football together and we've just got this different level of understanding I think and it showed tonight." Sportal

In Sydney, Melbourne Victory continued their unbeaten start to the A-League season after a late Daniel Allsopp goal stole a 1-0 win over a ten-man Sydney FC at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Sydney were forced to play two thirds of the match a man down after veteran midfielder Steve Corica was controversially sent off in the 25th minute and looked as though they would hold on for a draw before Allsopp's 81st minute strike.

Victory coach Ernie Merrick said of Corica's send off: "These things go one way or another, throughout the season it sort of balances out.

"I honestly didn't see what happened but whatever happens, happens. I've never complained about referees ever, one way or another.

"I'm really happy with both the result and the performance ... it's always good to beat Sydney in Sydney.

"Hopefully this will be a case of building momentum because we need to win more games."  AAP

Central Coast had their lead at the A-League summit shaven to three points after a late Mark Bridge strike secured Newcastle a 1-1 draw in a fiery NSW derby at Bluetongue Stadium.

Bridge's 82nd minute goal cancelled out Tom Pondeljak's earlier second-half effort as honours finished even in the top-of-the-table clash.

After losing their first game of the season to Adelaide last week, the Mariners now sit just three points ahead of reigning champions Melbourne, with Newcastle conceding second spot with the draw.

Pondeljak looked to have secured all three points for the home side when he strolled through some poor Jets defence to beat 'keeper Ante Covic with a superb 20-metre strike in the 62nd minute.

But Olyroo star Bridge claimed a deserved point for the Jets just eight minutes from fulltime when he somehow guided a right-foot strike through a bunch of Mariners defenders following a goal-mouth scramble.

The pressure on Perth coach Ron Smith is sure to rise a further notch this week after the Glory played out yet another 0-0 draw against Adelaide United at Members Equity Stadium.

The Glory remain winless after seven games and the scoreless draw with Adelaide is their fourth of the season.

The result leaves the Glory four points clear on the bottom of the ladder and takes Adelaide to equal fourth.  AAP

A-League Table after Round 7