Sydney FC have beaten Melbourne City 1-0 via Rhyan Grant’s extra-time goal to defend their A-League crown in scoring a record fifth grand final win.
Socceroo defender Rhyan Grant shouldered home Luke Brattan’s perfectly weighted chip in the 100th minute to secure the Sky Blues back-to-back grand final wins and deny City a maiden A-League title.
“It was nice, maybe a little bit lucky with it but I thought I’d put the ‘keeper off with the chest rather than the head and it looked like it worked – so happy days,” Grant told Fox Sports at fulltime.
Grant also received the Joe Marston Medal as player of the match.
The game went to extra time with scores locked at 0-0 after 90 minutes.
The first half was marked by two controversial decisions, with City’s Harrison Delbridge’s 18th-minute goal ruled out following a VAR review and Sydney’s Adam Le Fondre denied a penalty in the 28th.
City flew out of the blocks and Delbridge looked to have handed them the lead.
Craig Noone’s skidding ball through the 18-yard box spilled out to Delbridge, whose powerful strike took a deflection and beat Andrew Redmayne.
But following a VAR review, referee Chris Beath ruled an offside Lachie Wales had obstructed Redmayne’s view and overturned the goal.
In the aftermath, Sydney found a foothold in the game and almost had their own golden opportunity to open the scoring.
Le Fondre went to ground under heavy contact from Curtis Good in the 28th minute and screamed for a penalty but his pleas went unheard.
The second half was largely an exhibition of superb goalkeeping from City’s Tom Glover and Sydney’s Redmayne.
Glover’s excellent reflex save denied Milos Ninkovic in the 62nd minute, while in the 77th minute, Redmayne blocked City substitute Scott Galloway’s dipping shot.
In the 89th minute Glover, who was superb all night, ensured the game went beyond regular time.
Le Fondre sent a cross in towards a diving Trent Buhagiar, with Glover able to scramble the ball to safety.
But Sydney would not be denied.
In the 100th minute, Brattan received the ball and lofted a delightful ball over the City defence to the back post, where a surging Grant chested the ball past Glover.
While City had some late sights on goal, Redmayne stood tall to preserve his clean sheet and secure Sydney the premiership-championship double.
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
An enjoyable final won by Grant's improvised goal. It's been a wonderful season and really era for Sydney but you have to expect with the City Football Group's backing, Melbourne City should be on the verge of good things. With City and Western United's success in their debut season, Victory suddenly realise they have a fight on their hands to be the preeminent Melbourne club.
pete4
Guest
Just on the couple incidents mentioned above thought ok City goal ruled out as Wales was offside but didn't think Le Fondre penalty claim was clear cut either It was a tense GF well done to both clubs and all the others for the past month to finish off this bushfire/pandemic hit season. Its been terrific football to watch in extraordinary times
Grem
Roar Rookie
And from a Sydney FC member- well played Melbourne City - hopefully this is the start of their era. They have played excellent football and are so well coached. Momberes (spelling?) is a brilliant coach. He has really developed some good young players - I hope he's not going back to France. And if there's no cap next year I hope to see Melbourne City make a big impact in Asia and set the new benchmark in the A Keague for other clubs to aspire to - just like Ange and The Roar did a few years ago.
Grem
Roar Rookie
And as a Sydney FC member - well played to Melbourne City. Hopefully this is the start of your era. I'd love to see your club make a real impact in Asia. It will be such a shame if Momberes (spelling?) goes back to France. He's an exceptional coach who can really develop young talent. And hopefully if there's no cap next year Melbourne City can set new benchmarks for other clubs ro aspire to - just like when Ange and the Roar took the A League to new levels.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Not a game for the ages but a game nonetheless worthy of a grand final. It was quality from both sides but in the end it was the man-with-the-mullet you improvised and found the back of the net. And maybe that summed up the game. Good play generally, good goal keeping at either end so it required something out of the ordinary to break the deadlock. I gotta hand it to Grant, he infuriates me because he's playing for the opposition but I'd love to have him at City :thumbup: