It was very close at the end but Sydney FC have held on to beat Melbourne City at AAMI Park.
Both sides really went at this but City unable to penetrate the Sydney back four.
They keep the pressure on Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth at the top of the table while City go back to the drawing board.
Great entertaining game for fans only marred by a second yellow to Dimi in injury time. Sydney will be without him for next week’s derby versus the Wanderers.
FINAL SCORE:
Sydney FC 2
Melbourne City 1
Melbourne City will be looking to atone for the last-minute defensive lapses that cost them three points against the Mariners last week but they’ll face a fierce Sydney FC, who after six games are undefeated and full of self-belief. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEDT).
These two sides played out an enthralling draw in Sydney in the first round of season and after seeing his side let a 2-nil lead slip, John van’t Schip will expect a much improved performance.
Thus far City has failed to live up to the preseason hype, recording only one win this season.
On paper, Melbourne City are a much better side than their sixth position on the table suggests. Their front line of Mate Dugandzic, David Williams and Damien Duff is one of the most dangerous in the A-League, and with Aaron Mooy – who returns from international duty – pulling the strings in the midfield, and Erik Paartalu on clean-up duty, they aren’t short on quality.
While he is no David Villa, Liam Miller’s signing as an injury replacement will further bolster City’s midfield.
They face a Sydney side experiencing their best start to a season since they won the league in 2010.
Graham Arnold has the Sky Blues buzzing and the news that marquee Mark Janko shunning a friendly against Brazil in order to be fully fit shows the competition for places is fierce. It’s expected Terry Antonis, back from international duty, will slot back alongside Milos Dimitrijevic, a partnership that is arguably the most dynamic in the league this season.
Arnold will be expecting more from youngsters Bernie Ibini-Isei and Chris Naumoff given in-form striker Corey Gamerio suffered a season-ending knee injury while on duty with the Olyroos in China.
With four clean sheets in the last five games, Sydney are well placed to continue their undefeated start to the season but won’t have it all their way against a Melbourne City side who will use last weekend’s result as motivation.
Join The Roar tonight at 7:30pm (AEDT) for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
Whites
Guest
Sydney win 2:1.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
Sydney hold on to win away! It was very close at the end but Sydney have held on at AAMI Park. Both sides really went at this but City unable to penetrate the Sydney back four. They keep the pressure on Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth at the top of the table while City go back to the drawing board. Great entertaining game for fans only marred by a second yellow to Dimi in injury time. Sydney will be without him for next week's derby v the Wanderers. Thanks for following.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
Griffiths-Jones is bizarre
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90+5' well that's the 5 minutes of added time but we play on at AAMI Park. Goal kick City. Last opportunity here? MCY 1 2 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90+4' Petkovic just scoops it out and gives an opportunity for a change to be made. Two-goal hero Janko is replaced by Smeltz. Sydney holding on here. MCY 1 2 SYD
Whites
Guest
That was a bizarre yellow.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90+2 Brown fires straight at Janjetovic. He has put in another MOM performance tonight. Sydney holding on but City can smell blood. MCY 1 2 SYD
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
At a pub with a quite a few Sydney fans. This is the way to watch it!
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90+1 five minutes of stoppage time. Sydney's tactics coming back to haunt them? What a ball from Mooy and Ryall with some last ditch defending. Coach-killing stuff here. MCY 1 2 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
89' Yellow card for Dimi ... his second, for time-wasting and he is sent off. Well what was going on there? Silly silly way to be sent off really. Griffiths-Jones having a real say in the outcome of this one. MCY 1 2 SYD
jamesb
Guest
Hello, City are back?
billyelliott
Roar Guru
88' Well there will be no clean sheet for Sydney. Paartalu with the late goal for City, outjumping Janko after a Duff cross, are we in for a late comeback? MCY 1 2 SYD
jamesb
Guest
Sydney scores. Game, set, bingo to Sydney FC.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
83' What was Wielaert thinking? Plays it straight to Janko who runs 30 metres and toes it past Redmayne. Really thought he had had one touch too many but Redmayne was rooted to his goal-line. That goal came against the run of play you'd have to say and puts this one beyond City. MCY 0 2 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
81' Melbourne with a second consecutive corner, this one cleaned up by Janjetovic. City coming home with a wet sail. MCY 0 1 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
Think we're watching the future of the Australian midfield tonight. Mooy and Antonis.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
79' Wielaert picks up a yellow card after handbags at nine paces with most of the Sydney bench. Sydney look to just play this one out. MCY 0 1 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
76' Anything Terry can do, Mooy can do too! Nice ball to sent James Brown goal-ward but his cross is picked out by a Sydney defender. JVS takes the opportunity to make his final change, Marino comes on replacing Dugandzic. MCY 0 1 SYD
jamesb
Guest
Love watching Antonis.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
75' It opens up for Ibini who forces Redmayne to tip the ball over the ball. Wonderful ball from Antonis to set that up. Just remember this guy is only 20 years old, incredible range. Gersbach sees his corner punched out for another corner. MCY 0 1 SYD