In a clinical and punishing performance, Melbourne City defeated Melbourne Victory 7-0 in their biggest ever derby win.
Andrew Nabbout scored himself a goal of the season contender, after putting City ahead. Picking up the ball near the halfway line, Nabbout caught Matthew Acton with an audacious attempt at goal.
Hitting the ball with the outside of his boot on the far-right side of the penalty box near the touchline, he let it fly, surprising both Acton and catching him out of position.
Adama Traore added to Victory’s troubles by getting himself sent off after a high tackle on an airborne Nabbout. Traore may find himself in more trouble than the challenge warranted after grabbing referee Chris Beaths hand, attempting to stop him from brandishing the red card.
The early red to Traore forced Victory to be outmanned on the wing.
Jacob Butterfield was caught in no man’s land, and former Victory player Nabbout took full advantage of that. He crossed Butterfield, who dived in for an ill-advised tackle leading to a City penalty.
City frontman Jamie Maclaren slotted it straight in to make it 2-0 for City.
Maclaren again added to the woes of Victory fans after Marco Tilio crossed in a ball to the head of an awaiting Maclaren, who put it away with ease availing the outstretched arms of Acton.
Tilio and Maclaren again combined for a goal to put City ahead 4-0, with Tilio being brought down in the box by a clumsy Jake Brimmer, setting Maclaren up for his second penalty.
Maclaren slotted in their sixth after Aiden O’Neill found an awaiting Stefan Colakovski, who headed it in the path of Maclaren. Within moments, Maclaren slotted his fifth goal of the match after City again caught Victory players sleeping in possession.
Adrian Luna placed the final nail in the coffin after putting in a long-range effort just inside the penalty box.
The win places City on top of the table with a game in hand over the Central Coast Mariners.
The seven-goal margin ties the record with Adelaide United, who have won by seven on two separate occasions.
For Victory players and fans, this match only adds to the list of questions that need to be answered by the Victory board.
The lack of a clear playing style and a poor club structure leaves them having too many questions and not enough time in the season for them to fix.
Melbourne City: 7 (Nabbout 11’, Maclaren 34′, 64, 75′, 84′, 85′, Luna 87′)
Melbourne Victory: 0
Stadium: AAMI Park
Referee: Chris Beath
Assistant Referees: Ashley Beecham, George Lakrindis
Fourth Official: Jonathan Barreiro
Melbourne City: Thomas Glover, Scott Jamieson, Rostyn Griffiths, Jamie Maclaren, Craig Noone, Andrew Nabbout, Connor Metcalfe, Adrian Luna, Curtis Good, Nuno Pereira Reis, Scott Galloway, Marco Tilio (sub 62’), Aiden O’Neil (sub 62’) , Stefan Colakovski (sub 76’), Benjamin Garuccio (sub 76’), Florian Berenguer-Bohrer (sub 80’)
Unused subs: Naoki Tsubaki, Matthew Sutton (gk)
Melbourne Victory: Matthew Acton (gk), Storm Roux, Adama Traore, Aaron Anderson, Callum McManaman, Jacob Butterfield, Gbenga Folami, Jay Barnett, Dylan Ryan, Jake Brimmer, Luis Lawrie-Lattanzio, Brandon Lauton, Robbie Kruse (sub 60’), Elvis Kamsoba (sub 60’)
Unused subs: Maxime Crocombe (gk), Birkan Kirdar, Lleyton Brooks
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