Melbourne City have thrown some pedestrian form and an up and down week out the window to steal a valuable win in Newcastle. And that win goes down to a combination of great luck, solid defence, and taking the small chances that they had, in contrast to a wasteful home team.
Newcastle brought the style in the first half of the first half, but this was where the luck played its part for Melbourne.
Galekovic pulled up lame in the warm up, and it was injury replacement Dean Bouzanis who put in a first class showing in keeping to deflect everything that Newcastle had.
Petratos was sublime to start with, as he weaved his brand of mastery to set up waves of flying Jets into the area. Unfortunately for the home team, Bouzanis was more inspired, as he repelled every attack with aplomb.
It was actually unlucky for the away team to go behind, with Nabbout taking a poacher’s goal to grab a seemingly deserved lead for the Jets, even Nabbout’s opener was after he had to make a second chance work when Bouzanis saved that first effort.
But, there would be many a twist in the tail of this contest, as two Boogard errors led to a Melbourne penalty, that McCormack converted (for his sixth set piece goal of the season).
It was a very different game in the second half, as Melbourne began to grind away at the home team, who appeared somewhat rattled and disjointed.
Luke Brattan came into his own, and started to march around the field leaving his mark, although neither team really created any chances.
But a chanceless second half was turned on its head, when late in the game Melbourne attacked through Jamieson, who nutmegged a defender, belted it in, another Melbourne shot was deflected, but it sat up perfectly for Muscat, who blasted a volley into the goal to near-break the net.
His goal celebration was a combination of euphoria, relief, and vindication. Unfortunately for Muscat, he picked up a silly yellow, his fifth of the season, and will miss next week’s game.
While the Jets threw a small kitchen sink at Melbourne towards the end, the result was done, and Melbourne will fly home having put their season back on track, leaving a bitter taste in the mouth of the home team, who had been celebrating milestone games for their captain and coach.
For Newcastle, questions will be asked as to why they are unable to put in a 90-minute performance, as further lapses throughout the season could put paid to what is, still for the moment, looking to be promising season for them. Meanwhile, Sydney create an even bigger gap at the top of the table.
Melbourne 2-1 winners, and it will be interesting to see if Bouzanis retains his place.
Waz
Guest
Win first then do it with style I guess, City have had plenty of style and not enough winning for CFG I suspect.
Waz
Guest
Maccarone’s first touch looked off in the first half, and (like most Italian footballers) he’s not one for running for the sake of it. So up until the goal he was well below par. What I liked about his goal was he changed his position three times - first he got into a good position for the initial (poor) cross, then he adjusted giving Skapetis an option for his header which instead went to Bautheac so he adjusted again giving him the option and bang, great goal. And I’m not sure how many A League strikers would have scored than, how many would have blazed it over the bar or tried to take a second touch giving defenders a last chance? The lesson is surely, get the ball to Maccarone in the box!
hogdriller
Roar Rookie
Was getting impatient with watching Maccarone's laziness in the goal area of late, seems to think the ball should be placed at his feet and not have to try and fight for it himself.......until he smashed that about turn into the net. Wow! What a strike it was, just goes to show what he can do in that area given such service. Beautiful strike from Franjic as well mind you. As for the Jets, think were going to see much better performances from them this season, especially with O'Donovan and Georgievski back, they'll be firing on all cylinders. Good to see them up the ladder.
Footoverhand
Guest
City is my team and I admit, Joyce has us playing dire football, it's not great to watch, but it's getting results I guess.
Kangajets
Guest
That’s 45000 extra people got to watch the a league who couldn’t get there . Fabulous Thanks for the good news grubelaar
Grobbelaar
Roar Guru
Ratings: #FoxSports #NEWvMCY 45k was also telecast on One, but continues a run of poor Sat night ratings
Kangajets
Guest
Football is about taking your chances in front of goal . City did that in the end better then the jets . Credit to bouzanis for terrific keeping for city Petratos played some great passes and Hoffman is not A league standard, Very disappointed that old Nigel Boogaard is going back to his dodgy defending . 2 schoolboy errors leading to the penalty. Anyhow bring on Perth Glory next week. Hoping we get O’Donovan and Georgievski back in the lineup.
Waz
Guest
There’s no story for Wanderers/Brisbane (Again no Brisbane report week after week???) so apologies for hijacking this thread. It was a pretty dire match to be honest but I watched Aloisi pre-match and he was a coach on the edge so got the win he needed, not sure he would have survived next week if not. You can hear the knives being sharpened. Two cracking goals illuminated an otherwise dour game. It felt like Brisbane had gone to a 442 and sat deep but that first goal shows what Maccarone can do if he gets the ball in the right area - Roars failing midfield simply isn’t controlling games and creating chance. But never mind the quality, Aloisi lives on!!