Melbourne City have started the season with three straight wins for the first time in their history after defeating the Wellington Phoenix 1 nil in a tight contest at AAMI Park.
Final score
Melbourne City 1
Wellington Phoenix 0
Melbourne City will be favoured to win their third game on the trot when they host Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:30pm AEDT.
City have defied expectations somewhat, winning their first two matches of the season against Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory. They are more stable at the back compared to the last campaign and will take plenty of confidence into today’s contest against Wellington.
The Phoenix have opened the season with a draw and a narrow defeat to premiership favourites Sydney FC away from home. Despite losing 3-2, the Phoenix did well to keep themselves in the contest last week and are a good chance of causing an upset if City underestimates a team that is on the mend.
City have the edge in recent form between the teams, winning their last three matches against the Phoenix which included a 5-1 shellacking in Wellington last season.
While such a scoreline is unlikely to be reproduced this afternoon, it wouldn’t surprise to see at least four goals scored between two sides that like to attack.
After being rested for 80 minutes against Victory, expect Socceroos legend Tim Cahill to feature more prominently for City this week. Cahill will be keen to keep his strong form going ahead of crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Honduras just under a month away.
Prediction
City had a lot of success against Victory on the counterattack, but it will be interesting to see if they let Wellington dictate terms with possession. The Phoenix are dangerous on the counter themselves, particularly with Dario Vidosic and Roy Krishna upfront.
Overall, the Phoenix should provide City with an honest test at home, but City’s quality upfront led by Cahill should once again steer them to another win.
City to win 3-1
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Effective.
Alan
Roar Guru
City start the season with three straight wins for the first time in their history after defeating the Phoenix 1 nil in a tight contest at AAMI Park. McCormack's great freekick in the second half proved the difference between the two sides as Wellington competed well but failed to demonstrate a clinical edge when it mattered. Krishna, Vidosic and Kaludjerovic all had chances to convert for Wellington but failed to execute during crucial periods. City once again do enough to secure a tough win after overcoming Melbourne Victory in the derby last week. There is a different look to City this season. They are far more assured in defence and in midfield with La Rocca, Malik, Jamieson and Mauk all putting strong performances. With three wins on the board, perhaps this will be City's year to fulfil potential. As for the Phoenix, they have plenty of room for improvement but wins should be just around the corner for a team that has competed well so far in all their matches to date. City 1 Phoenix 0
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME City 1 Phoenix 0
Alan
Roar Guru
91' - Kaludjerovic with a header but his effort goes wide of goal. Phoenix running out of time. They have toiled hard thus far but no wins to show for it. Lack a cutting edge upfront. City 1 Phoenix 0
Alan
Roar Guru
88' - City holding on nervously. Phoenix pressing for an equaliser. City only conceded the one goal thus far in three matches. City 1 Phoenix 0
Alan
Roar Guru
84' - Huge change for Wellington as Krishna hits the bar with his effort! Corner for Wellington. City survive barely! City 1 Phoenix 0
Alan
Roar Guru
82' - Cahill is on for McCormack. The Socceroos legend replaces the Aston Villa man who scored a cracker to give City the lead. City 1 Phoenix 0
Stevo
Roar Rookie
OK, Timmy Time (tm)
Alan
Roar Guru
80' - I honestly think City have been told by Socceroos staff to keep Cahill in cotton wool ahead of matches against Honduras. Cahill about to come on. City 1 Phoenix 0
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Kamau and Fitzgerald combine dangerously here but Wellington clear just. City looking to put the game to bed. City 1 Phoenix 0
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Nice.
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Cahill still on the bench as Mauk comes off for Brattan. City with their first change. City 1 Phoenix 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Phoenix now have to take more risks. City eager to maintain their perfect record thus far this season. Fascinating final 20 minutes coming up.. City 1 Phoenix 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Finally a goal and a great goal at that from City as McCormack opens his account with a great freekick from 30 yards! City 1 Phoenix 0
Alan
Roar Guru
69' - Phoenix's teenage goalkeeper Smith looks like he has a good head on his shoulders. Speak of the devil...I have jinxed him!!! GOAL CITY City 1 Phoenix 0
Alan
Roar Guru
65' - And the arm wrestle continues. Crowd yet to get into this contest and for good reason. Neither team willing to be proactive and force the issue. City 0 Phoenix 0
Alan
Roar Guru
60' - Corner for Wellington as City scramble to close an opening. Vidosic's header saved by Galekovic. City 0 Phoenix 0
Alan
Roar Guru
58' - Fornaroli's presence sorely missed thus far for City. City still have Brattan, Cahill, Carrusca on the bench to spice this match up. City 0 Phoenix 0
Alan
Roar Guru
54' - Surprised with the lack of goalmouth action in today's contest. City to be fair to them have improved defensively. More pragmatic now compared to their chaotic but entertaining style of the last two seasons. City 0 Phoenix 0
Alan
Roar Guru
50' - Which team will try and take the initiative here? Which player can stand tall and take this game by the scruff of the neck? Game needs a goal... City 0 Phoenix 0