Highlights: Cahill fires City to win over Mariners

Tim Cahill has headed Melbourne City to much-needed A-League win, dismissing the challenge of 10-man Central Coast with a 2-1 result at AAMI Park.

Roy O’Donovan equalised and was dismissed within 23 minutes on Thursday night, either side of two first-half Cahill strikes.

The Mariners were able to hold City at bay for the second half, ensuring another nervy finish for the title hopefuls.

The result was the perfect tonic for Michael Valkanis’ men, desperately needing a response to last week’s loss to last-placed Adelaide United.

Against the league’s latest cellar dwellars, City fired early and were assured a result thanks to O’Donovan’s reckless act.

Cahill netted his first from a set piece in the third minute, running clear of two markers to finish at the near post.

Despite the speed in which City took the lead, it was already the second time Cahill had been left alone at set pieces – a sign of the Mariners’ defensive naivety.

But Paul Okon’s men fought back, showing their attacking prowess to equalise on nine minutes.

Nick Montgomery set Connor Pain loose, and the ex-Melbourne Victory winger’s cross found O’Donovan as free as a bird on the penalty spot.

The Irishman netted his eighth goal of the season with a first-time strike, and the Mariners were back on terms.

Then came O’Donovan’s moment of madness.

For the second-straight week at AAMI Park, the linesman’s advice provided a flashpoint to the match.

Six days after Besart Berisha was sent off for Victory for an off-the-ball elbow, O’Donovan’s raised arm on Michael Jakobsen brought the same result.

Referee Daniel Elder conferred with his assistant and produced the red card, rightfully judging that O’Donovan’s glances over his shoulder at Jakobsen provided the intent that Berisha’s challenge lacked.

A man short, the Mariners pushed on but were vulnerable to City attacks.

After a number of unsuccessful City sorties, Cahill completed his brace on 39 minutes.

Osama Malik’s header from a corner was cleared off the line, but only to Luke Brattan who returned the ball to the back post where Cahill pounced.

If there was a complaint over City’s performance, it was that – as has been the case so many times this season – the killer goal was so long in coming.

Nicolas Colazo hit the post twice and substitute Fernando Brandan missed a free header from two metres out.

The shots’ count at the end of the night read 26-2, with Mariners gloveman Paul Izzo’s eight saves putting him second only to Cahill for impact on the match.

Valkanis said there was one reason why the scoreline didn’t blow out.

“Izzo was tremendous,” he said.

“It was a game we should have won by halftime. We had plenty of chances – plenty of shots on target.”

Okon criticised O’Donovan’s dismissal, calling it “a mistake”, but praised his players.

“We were never going to come here and sit back. That’s not the way we want to play.

“We’re disappointed in the way we conceded two goals … but I couldn’t be prouder of the way the boys played, the effort.”