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A new name, new logo, new stars and new pressure.
But after Sunday’s 1-1 A-League draw with Newcastle Jets, Melbourne City’s fans were cursing the same old problem: missed chances.
David Villa struck a wondrous equaliser from the edge of the box in the 87th minute, making it two goals from two games in the A-League.
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The hosts should never have been in such a position in their first home game since being rebadged, watched by a non-derby club record crowd of 15,717.
City dominated the first half and looked potent throughout the clash, with Villa, Damien Duff, Aaron Mooy and Massimo Murdocca all influential.
They created a glut of chances, firing 16 shots in total compared to Newcastle’s seven.
“Of course it’s frustrating,” mused coach John van ‘t Schip.
“We were not ready to give the finishing punch.
“Dominating is not enough for three points … the goals are the ones that count. That’s something we have to be more focused on.”
Not even Villa, Spain’s all-time leading goal scorer currently on loan at City, was immune.
The World Cup winner fired over the crossbar in the 61st minute and directed his 48th minute shot directly at Jets goalkeeper Mark Birighitti.
But there was was little Birighitti could do 26 minutes later.
“He needs only a little moment,” van ‘t Schip said of Villa, who played the entire game.
“He’s always going to be dangerous and find spaces.
“We had a plan of trying to keep him on the pitch as long as possible … so it’s very good he played 90 minutes.”
Jets striker Edson Montano had threatened to upstage Villa, breaking the deadlock with a bullet-like header in the 62nd minute.
Substitute Zenon Caravella had a golden chance to put the visitors 2-0 up prior to Villa’s strike, but blazed over the crossbar with only keeper Andrew Redmayne to beat.
“He’s on finishing practice first thing Monday morning,” joked Jets coach Phil Stubbins.
“He was a great contributor … I won’t be saying anything but well done Zenon.”
For the second week in a row the Jets conceded a late goal, but Stubbins was more philosophical this time around.
“It wasn’t meant to be,” he said.
“We conceded late. You could say they’re fortunate, but in reflection of the full game it was probably a fair result.
“The boys have put in a solid shift … we’re slightly disappointed but also pretty happy,” he said.
Former Slovenia skipper Robert Koren remains sidelined with a calf injury, and he is in doubt for City’s derby clash with Melbourne Victory on Saturday night.
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