Melbourne Victory won a dramatic and controversial derby on Saturday night despite trailing 0-1, thanks to a goal form Besart Berisha and then an own-goal coming via Manny Muscat.
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Final score
Melbourne Victory 2
Melbourne City 1
Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City do battle in a Melbourne derby that both teams desperately need to win. Join The Roar tonight for live scores and commentary from 7.50pm (AEDT).
After a promising start to the season, it’s fair to say City are not living up to their potential. The citizens find themselves in fourth position on the ladder, with Perth Glory, the Newcastle Jets and others clutching at their heels.
Another disappointing performance against the Jets last week raises doubts about City’s capacity to challenge Sydney FC for the title.
A change in coach has done little to solidify their defensive issues. They remain a team that is far too easily opened up by opposition attackers and they will be tested once again by the Victory.
The Victory is enduring a three-match losing streak and will be particularly frustrated by their 2-1 defeat to Sydney FC last week at home.
After taking the lead through James Troisi, they were well on top in the first half, only to concede against the run of play.
Despite threatening to take the lead in the second half through some enterprising play, Melbourne’s inability to convert pressure into goals cost them dearly against the most well-organised team in the A-League.
Despite not playing badly at all, the Victory still found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline against a Sydney outfit that is unrivalled when it comes to stamina and belief.
Although City has enjoyed the better results of late, Victory is still playing the better football. They will fancy their chances of ending their winless drought tonight.
While City at their best remain the team most likely to challenge Sydney for the title, they are a long way from their peak and need to start showing more urgency both on and off the ball.
Prediction
This is a very difficult game to call. Both teams are not in the best of form but expect an entertaining game nonetheless with plenty of goals. A draw looks likely here.
City and Victory to draw 2-2
Join The Roar from 7:50pm (AEDT).
Neil
Guest
As a neutral that dislikes Berisha's constant dissenting referees, I will admit I changed my mind about 3 times about that offside and will have to admit I am happy to leave that decision to the ref.
Aethelbert
Guest
I expect it to play out like Abbas calling out Santalab. FFA don't want to tarnish their flavour of the month nest egg.
Nemesis
Guest
I don't follow either team but I applaud the symmetry of football. A few months ago, City scored a goal in an FFA Cup Semi Final when Tim Cahill was in an off side position and he ran in front of the Victory GK but he was judged to not be interfering with play because he didn't touch the ball The City coach said "these things even out over the season". It evened out tonight.r As they say in the classics: That's Football.
Pauly
Guest
Benefit of the doubt should go to the attacking team. This really is a debate for IFAB.
Pauly
Guest
Given that Bes was giving it back I dare say nothing.
MarkfromCroydon
Roar Pro
Was at the game and loved it. The most enjoyable aspect was the controversy surrounding the second Victory goal, and the sending off of Cahill. Karma's a bitch isn't it! Ha! Ha!
tully101
Roar Guru
berisha made a gesutre (running in behind muscat) that decieved musctas ability to play the ball offside
punter
Guest
Fair enough, I was more talking of offsides, crossing goal/touch lines, handballs etc. The rest is ref call.
tully101
Roar Guru
4 "big decisions" i didnt say he only made 4 decisions. and i the reason beath made an incorrect judgemnt, was that he didnt understand the offside rule fully. secondly our "indisciple" will cost us next game, not this one
Slane
Guest
Wowee what a game. I'm still very confused. Obviously at the ground we don't get to hear the commentators and I still don't know what happened with the Cahill red card. Very entertaining match.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Expect Bouzanis' racist attack on Berisha to be looked at through the week. City might struggle to field a team in their "six pointer" against Brisbane next week.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Hahahahahahah. You think Beath only made 4 decisions in the whole game? Wow hahahaha A job where you can get big things wrong half the time and keep your job? I recommend you watch sport. Athletes make countless basic errors every single time they step on to the field. Yet many make tens of millions of dollars. If I were you, I would be looking at the indiscipline of your players. Half (where have I heard that word before?) of them will be suspended next week.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Brandan's knock to the head was a clear foul as Geria came from behind and misjudged his attempt at heading the ball and collected Brandan rather than the ball. Free kick against Geria anywhere else on the pitch but not in the box it seems.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Ahh the pre-video ref era innocence. I remember when NRL said that and now we use it for every try. I remember when cricket said that but obvious mistakes are missed all the time. Your real obvious is different to my real obvious.
punter
Guest
Video refs should only be used to change the real obvious, eg Carney's hand ball, otherwise it's ref's call & let us continue to debate whether correct or not!!!!
Tom
Guest
Muscat stretched because of Berishas position. Muscat had to stretch and was not able to control the ball the way he could of if he didn't stretch. Berishas caused him to stretch and therefore he was interfering with play. The same happens when a defender goes up in the air and touches the ball in the box. However a penalty is not given because a nearby attacker is in an offside position.
tully101
Roar Guru
and the bloody commentators dont understand the rules? jezuz
Lionheart
Guest
What a weird and wonderful final 20 minutes. I can imagine if roles were reversed how Muscat's post match interview would have gone. Did the ref overrule the assistant on the line, or did the linesman change his call? I can understand City fans and players being upset, but Cahill should know better, than whatever it is he did. Crazy stuff.
tully101
Roar Guru
i hope berisha gets a look in for throwing the ball at bouzanis, unsportsman like as you get
tully101
Roar Guru
i didnt see much of the replays but 4 questions 1) was bruno onside? 2) was the "foul" on brandan enough for a pen 3) was there enough contact on rojas for the peN? 4) did berisha effect the play on muscats own goal i feel as not all of these decisions were correctly called. 2 in my opinion are wrong, thats a 50% strike rate. Beath will habe his job in the morning, can anyone think of any proffesion where someone gets the big things wrong half of the time, yet still keeps thier job?