Douglas Costa's classy debut delivers derby victory to Sydney FC in chaotic match

Scuffles, marquee debuts, a red card and three goals. The Sydney derby well and truly delivered.

And in the end it was Sydney FC claiming bragging rights against the Western Sydney Wanderers.

The result now means it's three in a row for the Sky Blue side against their counterparts.

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Marquee talents Douglas Costa and Juan Mata were both on the team sheets pre-game however the latter was named on the bench.

Sydney FC were on the board first when Joe Lolley scored in the 17th minute with a close finish.

The tensions then rose in the 25th minute when Alexandar Popovic's challenge led to a melee between both sides.

"It was a pretty ugly challenge," commentator Simon Hill said on Paramount+.

Wanderers midfielder Nicolas Milanovic also received a yellow card for his involvement in the scuffle.

By half-time the score stayed the same but the Wanderers were back in the match with Aydan Hammond slotting the ball in the top corner and then running over to embrace the Red & Black Bloc.

Mata was then substituted into the game, replacing the goalscorer, with the World Cup winner receiving a big welcome from the fans.

The cheers of the Wanderers fans ended in the 63rd minute when a Douglas Costa cross led to fellow new signing Patryk Klimala heading home a goal.

Chaos continued late in the match when Sydney FC substitute Max Burgess was given a red card for an ugly challenge after only entering the pitch four minutes earlier.

"It's red, no question," Andy Harper said.

"No doubt about it," Hill added.

Despite being a man down, Sydney FC held on to win 2-1 with Lolley receiving three points for the Alex Tobin Medal tally while Costa earned two.

Elsewhere in the competition, Melbourne City won 1-0 against Newcastle in Newcastle.

But there was one horror moment with Jimmy Jeggo given a red card for stepping into the back of Eli Adams.

Jeggo was then booed as he left the ground.

Auckland FC also started their journey with a 2-0 win over Brisbane Roar.