Melbourne City defeated Newcastle Jets 3-0 at AAMI Park to move within four points of top spot despite missing striker Bruno Fornaroli.
Fornaroli was left out of the squad for the second consecutive week but City were not without firepower, rectifying last week’s loss.
It didn’t take long for the home side to open the scoring, Riley McGree once again using this fixture to produce something special just two minutes in.
After controlling a wayward corner with his thigh the former Jets midfielder pounced on the space afforded to him to put one past his former club with a half volley.
McGree’s confidence grew as the game continued combining well with Ritchie De Laet down the right-hand side to cause problems for the Jets, who relied on quick breaks to counter City’s possession-based style.
Newcastle found glimmers of home in the first half as Ronald Vargas and Dimitri Petratos tried to galvanise their side with long ranged attempts but it was ultimately City who looked the more comfortable.
Newcastle’s fightback was made all the more difficult as Luke Brattan, like McGree, produced a contender for goal of the season with a volley from outside of the box which got the protesting fans on their feet.
Brattan’s chest turned volley coming right on the cusp of half time, the worst possible time for the Jets who had started to get themselves into the game.
Both goals reflecting an audacious Melbourne City in the attacking third who were not afraid to attempt to catch the Jets off guard with ambitious efforts on goal.
The game was put beyond doubt in the 75th minute when Lachlan Wales capitalised on a defence splitting ball from De Laet to secure City’s third win of the season.
It was a commanding performance from City which saw Riley McGree step up in Fornaroli’s absence to be crowned the man of the match.
The win ensures City remain in the hunt of top spot whereas for the Jets it leaves them one point outside the top six.
Melbourne City 3 (Riley McGree 2′, Luke Brattan 48′, Lachlan Wales 75′)
Newcastle Jets 0
Stadium : AAMI Park
Melbourne City : Eugene Galekovic (GK), Ritchie De Laet, Scott Jamieson, Harrison Delbridge, Bart Schenkeveld, Riley McGree, Dario Vidosic, Rostyn Griffiths (70’) Kearyn Baccus, Lachlan Wales, Curtis Good (87’) Luke Brattan, Anthony Caceres (82’) Florin Berenguer
Unused Substitutes:
Mark Birighitti (GK), Nathanial Atkinson,
Newcastle Jets : Glen Moss (GK), Jason Hoffman, Angus Thurgate (72’) Nigel Boogard, Ben Kantarovski, Steven Ugarkovic, Matthew Ridenton (59’) Dimitri Petratos, Ronald Vargas, Nicholas Cowburn, Daniel Georgevski, Lachlan Jackson, Ivan Vujica (75’), Nikolai Topor-Stanley
Unused Substitutes :
Lewis Italiano (GK) , John Koutroumbis,
Referee : Alex King
Assistant Referees : George Lakrindis & Andrew Meimarakis
Fourth Official – Lachlan Keevers
Enjoy this content? Support The Football Sack
Due in part to COVID and lack of current sponsorship we are at risk of not having the funds to continue running The Football Sack. If you enjoy our content and support our work in training talented young writers, please support us with a donation. If every reader contributed just $3, our funding would be covered for over ten years.
| DONATE |
