Led by a Richard van der Venne hat trick, City put in its best performance of the season to blow away Macathur at AAMI Park on Saturday evening.
Jamie Maclaren goals bookended the clash, while Andrew Nabbout also got on the scoresheet for the second time this season.
Team News
Rado Vidosic made just one change to his starting XI that drew 3-3 to Adelaide last time out, preferring Nuno Reis to Callum Talbot at right-back as the Portuguese defender came in for his third start of the season.
Starting XI: 1. Tom GLOVER (GK), 4. Nuno REIS, 22. Curtis GOOD, 6. Thomas LAM, 38. Jordan BOS, 13. Aiden O’NEILL, 8. Richard VAN DER VENNE, 14. Valon BERISHA, 23. Marco TILIO, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 9. Jamie MACLAREN (C).
Substitutes: 33. Matthew SUTTON (GK), 2. Scott GALLOWAY, 3. Scott JAMIESON, 10. Florin BERENGUER, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 25. Callum TALBOT, 35. Raphael BORGES RODRIGUES.
What happened?
In virtually a reverse scenario from last time out, City was on the scoresheet in pretty much no time at all after the opening whistle.
Central defender Thomas Lam hit a lovely ball from the centre of the park to Mathew Leckie, who timed a back heel perfectly to find Jamie Maclaren.
City’s number nine was then at his clinical best, taking a touch before burying his shot past Finn Suman into the back of the net.
Some lovely football followed for the remainder of the first half as City’s midfield trio were firing on all cylinders and allowing it to control proceedings.
Aiden O’Neill steamed into the box in the 16th minute and was brought down, with the referee having no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Up stepped Maclaren to take the spot kick but it was Suman coming up trumps this time around, although the City striker almost had it in the back of the net anyway, his follow-up attempt smashing into the crossbar.
Richard van der Venne would soon find the second of the evening, hitting the back of the net in the 33rd minute.
It was once again a back heel assist, Valon Berisha this time around the man to provide it as the Kosovan international assisted for the second week in a row.
City wasn’t keen to let up either – with van der Venne completing his brace just 10 minutes later.
A trademark run from Jordan Bos saw Macarthur defenders struggle to keep up as the youngster steamed down the left wing, before cutting back the perfect pass to the Dutchman who gave Suman no chance with a quality finish.
The second half saw City continue to step it up a gear, heaping more pain on the visiting Bulls outfit.
Vidosic rang the changes on the hour mark, introducing Florin Berenguer, Andrew Nabbout and Callum Talbot, with those substitutions taking less than 10 minutes to work a treat.
A great Berenguer corner found the head of Nabbout, with the winger meeting it with an even better header to guide it into the back of the net to make it 4-0.
Macarthur were able to pull one back in the 72nd, but that attempted comeback would be short lived with van der Venne completing his hat trick with the goal of the day just four minutes later.
Berenguer’s corner missed everyone in the box but the Dutchman was waiting patiently at the edge and guided the ball down with a good touch, before hitting a perfect strike on the half-volley that Suman could do little about.
The party didn’t stop there with Maclaren adding his second of the night to make it six in the dying stages. It was once again a Berenguer corner causing troubles, the City number nine this time killing the ball with a sublime touch, before completing the simplest of tap-ins for his 16th goal of the season.
What’s next?
City will be on the road to face Perth Glory at Macedonia Park next Saturday night, its first trip west of the season.
