Sydney FC came back twice to salvage a point against Melbourne City in an absorbing clash at AAMI Park on Saturday evening.
Milos Ninkovic was the away side’s saviour scoring a brace, while for City it was playmaker Harry Novillo who caused the most damage for the hosts.
Here’s an overview of how each player performed in the 2-2 draw:
Melbourne City
Thomas Sorensen – 6: Definitely the busier of the two keepers and another great display. Made some fine saves and if we are nitpicking might have been responsible for Sydney’s second goal, but a little harsh.
Matthew Millar – 2: Almost got away with his performance but afforded Andrew Hoole WAY too much space. There was a time there where Hoole was almost able to amble to the byline – has to improve.
Patrick Kisnorbo – 4: The skipper would be happy to have escaped with a point after that performance. Weekly changes to his partner at centre-back may explain the lack of continuity, but in all honesty were very lucky to escape the first half Sky Blue onslaught.
Aaron Hughes – 5: Got the first goal off the match with a clever header as he was falling away. Defensively grouped with Kisnorbo in that both centre-halves struggled all night, but at least contributed on the scoreboard.
Jack Clisby – 3.5: Back in his familiar fullback role but didn’t have the best night. The more noticeable Sydney attack came down the left hand side but was caught diving in a few times and gave the ball away a number of times.
Mahmut Ali Eyigun – 1.5: Not fair to judge him on one performance, but was not in the game in any sense and taken off after 30 minutes for Zullo. We’ll forget about this one.
Stefan Mauk – 4.5: Not really noticeable throughout the game, struggled to get involved and make any impact.
Jacob Melling – 5.5: Solid first game back from injury, struggled early like every single City player but was part of the group that really helped turn the tide and get them back into general play in the second half.
Robert Koren – 4.5: Great to see him back and starting again. Not his best game and missed a golden opportunity to possibly kill the game off for City when he was one on one with Janjetovic in the closing stages, City will be hoping he can live up to his marquee status in the next month.
Harry Novillo – 9: An absolute joy to watch and turned the game completely on its head. Wasn’t involved enough so shuffled more central on the half-an-hour mark and immediately made an impact, cutting inside and earning the corner that took the lead and halted Sydney’s momentum. Assisted Fornarolli (yes, again) with a delightful cross for City’s second goal. Should have also had a contender for assist of the season had Koren killed off the game with 10 to go.
Bruno Fornarolli – 6: His partnership and understanding with Novillo is as good as the league has seen in some time. Scored a sixth goal in six games and shows no signs of slowing down.
Substitutes
Michael Zullo – 7: A late inclusion and fantastic in his return from a long-term injury. Was thrown into the deep end coming on in the middle of a Sydney onslaught, not only restricted Rhyan Grant but caused him problems and gave him a taste of his own medicine, pressing high and winning the ball a few times.
Jason Trifiro – N/A
Sydney FC
Vedran Janjetovic – 5: Wasn’t at fault for either goals and aside from that had to make a few routine saves, average.
Rhyan Grant – 5: Like many others for Sydney started off like a house on fire but then fell off after the first City goal against the run of play.
Sebastian Ryall – 4.5: Both centre-backs were not their typical stoic and resolute selves after City worked their way back into it.
Matthew Jurman – 4.5: Group him with Ryall but tougher opposition than recent weeks ie. Fornarolli and Novillo in that form.
Alex Gersbach – 7: Hard to fault Sydney’s left side tonight, created all night and definitely created enough to take all three points tonight. Linked up very well with Hoole and continues to impress.
Mickael Tavares – 7: He and O’Neill dominated the midfield for a large portion of the game. City and had no answers through the middle of the park aside from a few Novillo sparks.
Brandon O’Neill – 7: Deserved more from the game, but with the potential City possess on the counter, he and Tavares were fantastic in transition.
Milos Ninkovic – 8: Scored both of Sydney’s goals and got involved at the right times. Showed his class with the backheel flick to beat Sorensen for the first goal.
Filip Holosko – 7.5: Despite Sydney domination for large periods found it difficult to get involved and was relatively quiet. Provided the assist for both of Ninkovic’s goals just when both imports were being called upon.
Andrew Hoole – 8.5: Sydney’s best player but was allowed to play exactly how he would have liked. Afforded way too much space and to say he could have had a few goals and assists in the first half would have been an understatement. Best game in a Sydney jersey this season so far and would have been man of the match had they scored a winner.
George Blackwood – 5: A really frustrating night for the young striker and unable to capitalise on his promotion to the starting line up. Missed a few golden opportunities to grab himself a goal, including a panicked chip when rushed by Sorensen with the game at 0-0.
Substitutes
Shane Smeltz – 3: Would have earned him an N/A had he not botched an open goal chance with the last kick of the game. Really should have taken the deserved three points for Sydney FC.
Milos Dimitrijevic – N/A
Chris Naumoff – N/A
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