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Brett Trevenen

Match Report: City 4-1 Western Sydney

Nooney

Melbourne City FC has recorded a club record sixth win in a row with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers on Friday Night.

Starting XI

Coach Patrick Kisnorbo was forced to make one change from his side that started on Monday against Central Coast, with Adrian Luna replacing Nuno Reis in the lineup.

The Portuguese defender missed with a groin issue, replaced in the heart of defence by Rostyn Griffiths with Luna and the inform duo Florin Berenguer and Connor Metcalfe making up a formidable midfield three.

What happened?

Melbourne wasted no time getting on the front foot on what was a gorgeous evening for football, defender Curtis Good playing an early header onto the crossbar.

Andrew Nabbout went oh-so-close to notching up his first City goal just minutes later with his shot fizzing into the finger tips of Wanderers keeper Daniel Margush.

City’s strong start was to fall victim to the sucker punch however, as a turnover coming out of defence opened the door for Mitchell Duke who put in an inch-perfect ball to the far post for Bernie Ibini to head home for the opener.

Not to be dismayed, City got back to work, and when Jamie Maclaren was fouled just outside the 18-yard box – it was a quick thinking and audacious Craig Noone, seeing Margush off his line, who chipped a delightful ball into the back of the net to bring City level.

Melbourne fired in a late flurry of chances to see out the half, however the margin stayed as it started as the players went into the half time sheds.

The second half started as the first ended and the boys in City blue continued to probe an increasingly shaky Wanderers defence.

Nabbout looked like a man possessed trying to break his duck for his new side and just seven minutes into the half his moment came; Craig Noone putting in a cracking ball to the back post for Nabbout to chest home.

Less than two minutes later, Nabbout turned provider with the Socceroo able to twist his defender inside out and run at the defence, his effortless ball across finding an unmarked Noone at the back post, the Englishman firing home for a well-deserved brace.

The return of Active support proved a highlight of the night, a jovial active area provided great atmosphere and were in strong voice as their team flexed its muscles on the pitch.

Melbourne’s pure dominance in the second half was further emphasised in the 62nd minute when a physical challenge on Mark Natta by Nabbout turned the ball over in a dangerous area, Noone again providing a terrific ball for Luna who found the back of the net.

A lengthy deliberation had the goal ruled out for the tightest of offside calls, but the moment belonged to City who had well and truly turned the screws on the visitors.

A stoppage time thumper from Jamie Maclaren to make it 4-1 set another club record, with “JMac” surpassing Ross McCormack’s previous run of scoring in 5 consecutive games with his 9th goal in just six games.

What’s next?

City will roll on as they return to AAMI Park as the away side next Thursday night April 1, taking on Western United at 5.35pm.


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