Wright-Phillips inspires derby win

Bradley-Wright Phillips scored twice as the New York Red Bulls closed in on league-leading rivals New York City FC with a 4-1 win in Sunday’s Hudson River derby.

Wright-Phillips opened (20) and finished the scoring (70) – bringing his haul against City to eight goals in six games – but a Ronald Zubar header and a penalty from the influential Sacha Kljestan had the hosts firmly in control by half-time.

Tommy McNamara struck spectacularly from range shortly before the interval (43) but the Red Bulls never looked like squandering a lead as they avenged a 2-0 derby defeat just three weeks ago to move to within two points of their neighbours at the top of the Eastern Conference.

City, who had boss Patrick Vieira sent to the stands in the first half and then saw Ethan White dismissed in the closing stages, had surged to the summit after five wins from six but a ragged display elevated only by McNamara’s brilliance at times evoked memories of May’s 7-0 drubbing at the hands of their city foes.

Wright-Phillips set the tone inside the opening minute, shrugging off his marker before firing across goal, while Kljestan – a constant menace – had …

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