WSW claim ALM derby win over Sky Blues

In the week he was handed the Western Sydney Wanderers head coach role on a full-time basis, Mark Rudan breathed life into their A-League Men season with a 2-0 defeat of Sydney FC.

In a clinical display on Saturday night against the club he served with distinction as a player, Rudan's Wanderers were first to everything.

Tomer Hemed's first-half penalty before a boisterous crowd at CommBank Stadium gave them the lead before a second-half Keanu Baccus header helped secure the victory.

Even if their two goals came by way of set-pieces, Rudan's side were deserved winners as they outplayed Sydney from start to finish and condemned their rivals to a third straight loss.

"I understand just how important this fixture is to our fans," Rudan said.

"They cheered and sang all night, they're very important to us and the players and I am most happy for them.

"You get rewarded for hard work and endeavour and it's games like tonight that are worth it. I thought we were totally in control with and without the ball."

The Wanderers got the breakthrough when the lively Ramy Najjarine earned a penalty in the 37th minute when he was taken down by a lazy trip from James Donachie.

Hemed made no mistake from the spot as he blasted the ball straight down the middle for his fourth of the season as Sydney No.1 Andrew Redmayne dived to his left.

The visitors lost Elvis Kamsoba to a potential medial ligament injury towards the end of the first half and their woes were compounded even further when Baccus netted after the break.

The Wanderers midfielder slipped the attention of Donachie at a Dimi Petratos corner and headed past Redmayne.

Sydney coach Steve Corica turned to his bench, throwing Mustafa Amini and new Dutch signing Luciano Narsingh into