SuperSport United moved up to second in the DStv Premiership after they beat TS Galaxy 3-2 in a thrilling encounter at the Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday evening.
A flurry of early goals had Matsatsantsa taking the lead through Lyle Lakay before Higor Vidal quickly hit back for the Rockets from the penalty spot and then Lehlohonolo Mojela put them ahead on 20 minutes.
Lakay restored parity soon afterwards and Bradley Grobler completed the comeback in the second half with his sixth goal in three games, although Gavin Hunt's side finished the game with 10 men after Ronald Pfumbidzai received his marching orders in the 84th minute.
SuperSport United win away at Mbombela Stadium 👏
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) November 1, 2023
Goals from Lyle Lakay and Bradley Grober secure all three points for Gavin Hunt's men ✅#DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/U2IQR6EvsX
Galaxy were looking to build on their 2-1 victory over Sekhukhune United on Sunday which halted a five-match winless run, while SuperSport eyed a third successive win to put pressure on league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
An action-packed first half saw the visitors draw first blood early on when Lakay curled a free-kick into the bottom right corner of the net in the seventh minute.
But their lead lasted just two minutes as Sead Ramovic's side were awarded a penalty for a handball and Vidal made no mistake from 12 yards out to level matters.
Lakay came close again on the quarter-hour mark with a strike from range that was expertly saved by Vasilije Kolak before the home crowd were up on their feet once more six minutes later when Mojela pounced on the ball inside the box to make it 2-1.
After Mpho Mvelase had an effort saved by Ricardo Goss, the action quickly switched to the other end as Lakay lashed his shot into the top right corner of the net on 26 minutes following good work from Margeman to win the ball back and play him in on the left.
Hunt was forced to make a change in the 37th minute when Onismor Bhasera sustained what appeared to be a hamstring injury and Pfumbidzai came on in his place.
The second half wasn't nearly as lively as the two teams cancelled each other out, although the Tshwane giants hit the front with 24 minutes left on the clock courtesy of Grobler, who was at the right place at the right time to finish off inside the box after being picked out by Etiosa Ighodaro.
However, Matsatsantsa suffered a setback eight minutes later with the dismissal of Pfumbidzai for a second bookable offence, the defender having spent just 47 minutes on the pitch.
Galaxy weren't able to take advantage of the extra man in the closing stages though, as they suffered a second defeat in three games.
TS Galaxy (2) 2 (Vidal 9' PEN, Mojela 20')
SuperSport United (2) 3 (Lakay 7', 26', Grobler 77')
TS GALAXY: V. Kolak, M. Munyai, M. Mahlangu, P. Sanoka, S. Kabini, M. Mvelase, M. Mbunjana, K. Sebelebele (T. Rakwena 62'), H. Vidal, S. Mahlangu (S. Nurkovic 67'), L. Mojela.
SUPERSPORT UNITED: R. Goss, K. Johannes (S. Xulu 46'), I. Okon, T. Hlatshwayo, O. Bhasera (R. Pfumbidzai 37'), T. Dzvukamanja (T. Mbatha 56'), G. Margeman, G. Moralo (S. Rasebotja 73'), K. Bezuidenhout, L. Lakay (E. Ighodaro 73'), B. Grobler.