Melbourne City showed their title credentials tonight as they managed to grind out a 2-2 draw despite missing four key players against Sydney FC.
REPORT: SYDNEY COMEBACK DENIES CITY
City’s midfield trio all pulled up sore on Saturday morning, including Socceroo Aaron Mooy, gifting starts to Jacob Melling, Robbie Koren and youth team debutant Ali Eyigun.
However, with Sydney FC starting far stronger, young Eyigun was subbed off on the 30 minute mark for Michael Zullo. For Sydney, George Blackwood had several great chances to score his first goal during an impressive first half, however it was Melbourne who pounced first through Aaron Hughes from a corner.
Sydney then struck back early in the second half through Ninkovic, who also scored late to level the match 2-2. Bruno Fornaroli also scored for Melbourne in an attacking and open match of football.
Final Score: Melbourne City 2-2 Sydney FC
Melbourne City take on Sydney FC, a match pitting the league’s most lethal attack up against the best defence in the competition. Join The Roar from 7:15pm (AEDT) for live scores and coverage.
Melbourne City have scored 30 goals in 12 matches, averaging 2.5 per match to boast the A-League’s deadliest attack.
However, despite holding their own at certain stages of the match, Melbourne City were ultimately outclassed by Brisbane last week.
Bruno Fornaroli scored another fantastic goal to take his season tally to 10, but it wasn’t enough against a strong Roar outfit.
With this performance following two 5-1 wins against lower A-League opposition, the critics are still out as to whether John van ‘t Schip’s men are true title contenders. This will be further tested by a loss tonight, which will see them drop from third to fourth. However, win and they are within four points of the league-leading Western Sydney Wanderers.
Sydney FC have kept six clean sheets in 12 games, and have only allowed opponents 25 shots-on-goal, to be the most miserly defence in the game.
However the Sky Blues have struggled in front of goal this season, despite boasting three of the most lethal strikers in the league – Alex Brosque, Matt Simon and Shane Smeltz.
With Brosque out injured, young George Blackwood is in line for a starting berth after featuring from the bench on nine occasions. While he is yet to score his first A-League goal, perhaps his raw youth and speed is what Sydney need at the point of their attack, and a spot in the starting XI might get him on the scoresheet.
Last week the Sky Blues’ dominant first half saw them beat the Mariners 4-1, and a win tonight will push them into third, above City, and have them unbeaten in three matches.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
What a game and Bruno was unbelievable! More marquee than Robbie that's for sure.
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Melbourne City showed their title credentials and squad depth tonight as they managed to grind out a 2-2 draw despite missing four key players against Sydney FC. City's midfield trio all pulled up sore on Saturday morning, including Socceroo Aaron Mooy, gifting starts to Jacob Melling, Robbie Koren and youth team debutant Ali Eyigun. However, with Sydney FC starting far stronger, young Eyigun was subbed off on the 30 minute mark for Michael Zullo. For Sydney, George Blackwood had several great chances to score his first goal during an impressive first half, however it was Melbourne who pounced first through Aaron Hughes from a corner. Sydney then struck back early in the second half through Ninkovic, who also scored late to level the match 2-2. Bruno Fornaroli also scored for Melbourne in an attacking and open match of football.
pete4
Guest
Unbelievable almost pinched it!! Great game
James Anderson
Roar Guru
90+3' - How did Smeltz miss that!! Three metres out and he somehow fires over the bar! It was easier to hit the roof of the net!! Poor finishing from the New Zealand international. Melbourne City 2-2 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
90+2' - Ball is worked out to Gersbach, who again drives down the left and whips a decent ball in. It falls to Dimitrejevic, who from 35 yards skews his shot well wide. Melbourne City 2-2 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
90+1' - Sydney clear desperately. Three minutes of stoppage time left as Sydney attack. Melbourne City 2-2 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
90+1' - Corner City. They're throwing everything at Sydney in the dying minutes. Melbourne City 2-2 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
90' - Novillo again! Weaves in and out of two challenges, then drives at goal, smashing a shot to the near post. Janjetovic parries away. Melbourne City 2-2 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
90' - Hoole off, Naumoff on. Arnold wants all three points away from home. Melbourne City 2-2 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
89' - Novillo beats three Sydney defenders in another fast counter, but Hoole eventually dispossesses him and gets a foul. Yellow card for the Frenchman. Melbourne City 2-2 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
88' - Novillo makes a good run down the left wing. The ball is lofted over Ryall, but the centre back has the pace to get back and force the mistake from Novillo. Good defending in a one-on-one. Melbourne City 2-2 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
88' - Sydney dominating possession. Gersbach gets down the left, but Millar keeps pace and earns the foul. Cheap giveaway of possession sees Sydney right back on the ball. Melbourne City 2-2 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
87' - Very open final 10 minutes. Perhaps there's one more goal to decide that match. Melbourne City 2-2 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
86' - Mauk gives away possession cheaply, and Sydney counter through Hoole. He whips in an early cross into the box, but it's cut out by Hughes. Melbourne City 2-2 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
84' - More injury woes for City, Melling can't walk off the pitch and is helped off. He is replaced by Jason Trifiro. Melbourne City 2-2 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
83' - Melling goes down injured as Sydney attack, but they put it out. Arnold, humorously, isn't not happy with that Sportsmanship Melbourne City 2-2 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
82' - GOAL SYDNEY! Holosko meets a cross at the back post back and headers back across goal, finding Ninkovic, who gets his second with his head! Melbourne City 2-2 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
81' - Smeltz getting some touches but only hold up play for the verteran. Melbourne City 2-1 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
80' - Gersbach can't find the right delivery with two attempts. Sydney deserve to lose this one, not lethal enough in the first half and haven't dominated the second half. Almost no chances created for the Sky Blues in the final 45 minutes. Melbourne City 2-1 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
79' - Holosko crosses from the flank, but he mis-hits and almost scores at Sorensen's near post. Gersbach corner. Melbourne City 2-1 Sydney FC