Perth Shocks Reds in Thrilling Upset Fuelled by 18-Year-Old Starlet, Turning the Top-Six Battle Upside Down

Rising star Jaylan Pearman delivered an impressive second-half brace, propelling Perth Glory to a commanding 4-1 victory over Adelaide United, who are vying for a top-six finish, on Saturday night.

The Reds journeyed to HBF Park with the aim of securing three crucial points against the league’s bottom side, hoping to return to the top six. However, they were met with an early onslaught from Glory, with Adam Taggart and Trent Ostler finding the net within the first 20 minutes, establishing a solid lead for the home team.

Ben Folami narrowed the gap with a goal in the first half, but Glory dominated the second half as Pearman netted the second and third goals of his Isuzu UTE A-League career, stretching the scoreline to 4-1.

For Adelaide, the heavy loss has dealt a significant blow to their hopes of reaching the 2024-25 Finals Series.

The Reds slid out of the top six after their defeat to Sydney FC in Round 26. However, with Sydney only managing a 2-2 draw against Auckland earlier on Saturday, Adelaide had the opportunity to reclaim their top-six spot with a win over a Glory side that had recorded just two victories leading into the match.

Yet, Perth had different plans in their final home game of the regular season. The resounding 4-1 victory marked their best performance of the campaign and saw David Zdrilic’s team rise off the bottom of the table, now three points clear of Brisbane Roar.

The match commenced with a surprising lead for Glory against their finals-bound opponents when Adam Taggart cleverly flicked in a low cross from Nikola Mileusnic, beating Adelaide’s goalkeeper Max Vartuli in the 11th minute.

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Taggart’s eighth goal of the season set the tone for a vibrant start from Perth, who quickly established a two-goal advantage before the 20-minute mark.

Once again, Glory capitalised on their attacking prowess down the right flank, as Mileusnic set up Jaylan Pearman on the edge of the penalty area. Pearman then assisted Trent Ostler, whose shot was heavily deflected into the bottom-right corner.

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Adelaide had travelled to Perth determined to snatch three points from the league’s lowest-ranked team, and an early two-goal deficit was a disheartening scenario for the Reds.

Nevertheless, in a frenetic opening phase at HBF Park, Adelaide quickly responded and pulled one back through Ben Folami, who seized on a loose pass from Glory captain Josh Risdon to slot past Oli Sail.

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After a whirlwind start, the score remained at 2-1 until the 73rd minute, with Glory clinging precariously to their slender lead.

Then, it was Pearman’s time to shine.

The 18-year-old Glory talent restored his side’s two-goal cushion in the 73rd minute, capitalising on a well-placed through ball from Nicholas Pennington, outmanoeuvring defender Jordan Elsey and confidently finding the back of the net past Vartuli.

Just seven minutes later, Pearman completed his brace with a similarly precise finish into the bottom-right corner. He celebrated jubilantly in front of The Shed, as fans erupted with joy.

Following a challenging season, Saturday’s 4-1 triumph—Perth’s second home victory of the season—provided a fitting farewell for the home supporters from their squad ahead of concluding the season with two away fixtures against Auckland and Wellington.