Melbourne City FC were humbled on its home deck, falling 1-3 to Perth Glory on Sunday night.
Starting XI
Kerrin Stokes made his starting debut following his first A League appearance a fortnight ago whilst Nathaniel Atkinson and Scott Jamieson returned to the bench.
1️⃣ change to the line up as youngster Kerrin Stokes makes his starting debut!#CmonCity #ALeague #MCYvPER pic.twitter.com/NnebyELCf4
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) January 31, 2021
What happened?
The home side started brightly with a plethora of good chances before an unlucky deflection carried Daniel Stynes’ cross into Carlo Armiento for the opener.
Not to be dismayed, City continued to press for their equaliser with Jamie Maclaren hitting the post and heading over in quick succession.
It was to be that man who brought City back on terms just after the half hour mark as some innovative play from Craig Noone created a chance that cannoned onto the post, the ricochet falling into the path of the City number 9 who finished promptly.
Goal number 2️⃣ of the season for Macca.
📽 @FOXFOOTBALL#MCYvPER #ALeague #CmonCity pic.twitter.com/P8BvuFBzuw
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) January 31, 2021
Naoki Tsubaki saw his best game in City colours with a lively display down the left hand side, teaming up well with full back Ben Garrucio whilst Adrian Luna was again prominent in midfield.
Confusion reigned however just before the half time whistle when Perth’s Dane Ingham headed the ball into the net from a set piece only for the linesman’s flag to go up. VAR intervened suggesting that Ingham was in fact onside and with Perth’s lead restored the home side were entitled to feel a bit unlucky to be behind at the break.
The second half was a far more dour affair as Perth looked to hold their lead and the boys in City blue failed to break down the defensive minded Glory.
Perth were able to add another goal to their tally via Nick D’Agostino from a set-piece in the final 10 minutes as the game petered out to a frustrating loss at home.
What’s next?
City won’t have to wait long for a chance to bounce back with it’s next fixture coming on Wednesday night away to Central Coast Mariners. Following that fixture City will remain in New South Wales before it faces Newcastle next Sunday.
