Melbourne Victory defeated Adelaide United in the original rivalry clash at Coopers Stadium on Sunday night.

James Troisi’s storming game helping his side to a 2-0 win in front of 10, 036 fans. The midfielder’s performance was a cut above in the Round 14 affair as he scored his side’s first goal and then set up the next.

The match started in blistering heat – the mercury was at 32 dergees when proceedings got underway – which called for a drink break during each half. But the temperature wasn’t going to stop Troisi from bagging his opening goal which would please even the harshest critic.

Having mucked a chance following a cross, striker Besart Berisha knocked the ball back to the unmarked Troisi. The midfielder took a step then curled his shot into the top left corner from just outside the box, giving the Victorian club the lead with 22 minutes on the clock.

The opening goal managed to subdue an Adelaide United outfit that had otherwise caused problems for Victory. The opening 20 minutes wasn’t indicative of the Reds’ position at the bottom of the table with just one win on the board, with a number of chances being hit wide of the target.

But when the Victory goal came Adelaide’s modus operandi for this season struck again with the players seemingly unable to create any chances or show any creativity. However, in the second half it was a different story as the Reds came out with renewed enthusiasm.

With it came sincere aggression from both clubs and for all the chances the Reds created a total of 10 yellow cards were issued and still no goals for the home side. The closest chance was an Isaias free kick that hit the cross bar in the 65^th minute.

Three minutes later Victory had doubled its advantage and put the game to bed when Berisha picked up Troisi’s free kick with his head and knocked it past Eugene Galekovic in goal from close range.

The win continues Melbourne Victory’s excellent form, this being its fifth win in a row, and will ensure Sydney FC has to keep looking over its shoulder at the top of the table. Melbourne’s next fixture is at home to Brisbane Roar.

For Adelaide United this rivalry loss is a disaster for fans and club alike. The pressure is squarely on coach Gui Amor now, who must be wondering how he is going to get his team’s second win of the year. If he’s still coach on Thursday, he’ll hope it’s when he hosts Melbourne City.

Adelaide United FC: 0
Melbourne Victory FC: 2 (Troisi 22’, Berisha 68’)

Coopers Stadium
Attendance: 10, 036

Referee: Jarred Gillett
Assistant Referees: Matthew Cream, Paul Centrangolo
Fourth Official: Daniel Elder

Adelaide United FC: 1. GALEKOVIC, Eugene, 4. McGOWAN, Dylan (70’ yellow card), 5. REGAN, Taylor, 7. HENRIQUE (MARRONE, Michael 85’), 8. ISAIAS (58’ yellow card), 9. GUARDIOLA, Sergio (46’ yellow card), 11. CIRIO, Sergio, 17. MILEUSNIC, Nikola (KITTO, Ryan 80’), 19. GARUCCIO, Benjamin (74’ yellow card), 21. ELRICH, Tarek (38’ yellow card), 25, HOLLAND, James

Substitutes: 2. MARRONE, Michael, 16. MAKAROUNAS, Jesse, 20. HALL, John, 22. KITTO, Ryan, 24. O’DOHERTY, Jordan

Melbourne Victory FC: 2. GERIA, Jason, 6. BROXHAM, Leigh (34’ yellow card), 7. ROJAS, Marco (AUSTIN, Dean 60’), 8. BERISHA, Besart (72’ yellow card), 10. TROISI, James (36’ yellow card), 13. BOZANIC, Oliver, 14. KHALFALLAH, Fahid Ben (64’ yellow card, INGHAM, Jai 66’), 15. BARO, Alan (48’ yellow card), 17. DONACHIE, James, 20. LAWRENCE, Thomas, 21. VALERI, Carl

Substitutes: 4. ANSELL, Nicholas, 5. GEORGEVSKI, Daniel, 11. AUSTIN, Mitchell, 23. INGHAM, Jai, 40. ACTON, Matthew