League: Roosters burst Eels' bubble

Parramatta's bubble has burst at the hands of a red-hot Sydney Roosters, who have thrashed the Eels 48-12 in the NRL clash at Parramatta Stadium.

The Roosters proved three playmakers - four if you include veteran fullback Anthony Minichiello, who bagged a double - are better than one with Mitchell Pearce, Todd Carney and Braith Anasta running riot in an eight tries to two effort in front of a sell-out crowd of 19,824.

In contrast, Parramatta's reliance on Jarryd Hayne has become all too evident, with the superstar fullback only able to produce flashes of his best behind a beaten pack in the Jack Gibson Cup clash.

The Roosters have now won five straight after previously being unable to put two wins back-to-back since rounds one and two, and also backed up in Saturday's early game after a trip to Brisbane on Monday night.

The Eels had won three straight coming into Saturday night's game, but could now finish the weekend two points outside the top eight.

The Roosters' attacking quartet have the side playing a scintillating brand of football, and veteran Minichiello set the tone early by sending a superb ball to a rampaging Mitchell Aubusson in just the sixth minute.

It was then Carney's turn, a brilliant grubber from 40m out resulting in centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall's fifth try in two weeks in the 12th minute.

Pearce laid on the third, a one-handed offload to Minichiello and the Roosters led 18-0 after 21 minutes.

Anasta's good form also continued and he laid on a late four-pointer for winger Phil Graham's second.

Add Carney's eight from eight with the boot and the well-oiled Roosters are the momentum machine as season 2010 heads for home.

Brian Smith's men led 24-12 after a first 40 minutes played at a furious pace.

But it was 30-12 three minutes after the break when centre Kane Linnett crossed out wide after Eels half Jeff Robson had fumbled a grubber and the visitors swept wide.

They got a lucky break in the 50th minute when Eels centre Joel Reddy was ruled held-up on a ref's call, when a benefit of the doubt call looked possible.

The Roosters had out hot-potatoed Parramatta in the first half, scoring four tries to two.

Down 18-0, the Eels hit back when Hayne beat three to score an individual try from 15m out, but the Roosters were ahead 24-6 when centre Linnett created a 95m try for Graham in the 35th minute after fielding a Parramatta bomb.

Nathan Hindmarsh made the most of a Sam Perrett error to run 30m and score on the stroke of halftime.