A-League – What We Learned – Melbourne City 3 Western Sydney Wanderers...

A-League – What We Learned – Melbourne City 3 Western Sydney Wanderers 2

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Melbourne City have defeated ladder leaders Western Sydney Wanderers 3-2 in an enthralling duel in front of 9,776 people at AAMI Park on Saturday, with Harry Novillo and Bruno Fornaroli providing irresistible firepower up front.

This match was one that eyes could not be taken off. Both sides had their moments, but ultimately it was City who prevailed after breaking out to a 2-0 lead.

In a simply breathless first half, both teams enjoyed chances, but it was the hosts who struck first. Nikolai Topor-Stanley was penalised for a handball at the top-right of the penalty box and a sensational curling effort off the right boot of Novillo made him pay cash.

The lead almost doubled two minutes later. A ninth-minute header from Fornaroli was met by a superb reflex save from Andrew Redmayne.

Fornaroli would not have to wait long to find the net, however. He twisted, turned, and curled a peach of a strike across Redmayne and into the bottom corner. The goal was his 12th in just 14 appearances.

The play continued at a frantic pace with the Wanderers intent on getting themselves back into the equation. Their breakthrough came on the half-hour. Mark Bridge looped a through ball over the top of the City defence to release Mitch Nichols. He He continued to advance and unleashed a fierce strike that drew a rare error from Thomas Sorensen, allowing the ball to slip into the net.

But straight after, the goal was so nearly cancelled out. Fornaroli tried another curled effort but Redmayne was equal to it.

The 41st minute almost brought with it Western Sydney’s equaliser. Bridge found himself in acres of space at the top of the area, but his strike was negated by some desperate defending by central defensive pairing Paddy Kisnorbo and Aaron Hughes. It was the skipper’s touch that send the ball wide.

The first opportunities after the interval fell to the Wanderers – both to Nichols. In the first instance, he was teed up by the floored Federico Piovaccari, with his effort sent wide by Jack Clisby. Then, an effort from outside the area at pace was hit straight at Sorensen.

But the Wanderers would restore parity as the introduction of Romeo Castelen reaped instant rewards on the hour. The Dutchman burst into the penalty area and delivered a low cross that was turned in by Hughes.

Castelen was through again seconds later, by Sorensen smartly left his goal and gave the former Bundesliga player little to work with.

And again, the Danish keeper was forced into action by Castelen. He streamed into the penalty area and forced Sorensen down on his left side with 20 minutes left on the clock.

The Wanderers thought they had their third when Bridge was played in quickly from a free kick, but controversially, referee Jarrod Gillet disallowed the goal leaving Popovic and the Wanderers fuming.

But City were not to be denied as another thunderbolt, again off the boot of Novillo, beat Redmayne with five minutes to play.

Mooy came close to sealing the result in the 92nd minute but his effort whizzed wide of the upright.

That is how it stayed, and the win sees City edge ever closer to the top of the table behind the Wanderers and Brisbane Roar.

A tale of two foreigners

How good are these two? Novillo and Fornaroli, aided by Aaron Mooy, are both challenging the likes of Thomas Broich and Besart Berisha in laying claim to the title of the A-League’s best foreigner.

Fornaroli, like he so often is, was a constant menace in front of goal, seeing two brilliant efforts saved in the first half alongside his solo screamer.

Novillo also boasted a piledriver of his own. His curling free kick in the seventh minute was pinpoint, expertly finding the opposite corner with an outswinging strike. He continued to cause problems, but then came his outstanding winner.

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A trademark dribble across the top of the box was followed by a stunning curled strike across Redmayne, the best goal of the bunch.

Novillo (five), Fornaroli (12) and Mooy (six) now have 23 goals between them, more than any other A-League club combined.

Castelen’s impact

From the moment the winger came on, the Wanderers had another dimension. On the right, the ex-Hamburg man sliced through the City defence and provided pace.

A mere 120 seconds after coming on, Castelen sent a tricky ball into the area that was turned in by Hughes. And again, he was played in with only Sorensen to beat. Unfortunately for him, the Dane came rushing out to provide a wall.

Is he restored to the starting XI next week, or does he remain an impact substitute?

City are guaranteed entertainment

Is there a better team to watch in the A-League?  Whether they win, lose or draw, Melbourne City always produce on the entertainment front.

They are slick, quick and clinical. Fixtures against Brisbane Roar, Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC and now Western Sydney Wanderers have all produced 90 minutes that simply could have get going, they were such enjoyable viewing.

And when the goals go in, they are usually from the top draw – just ask their French winger.

If you are introducing a new fan to our league, the team you must show them is Melbourne City. Goals and fast-paced football are a certainty. This one in particular was quite possibly the best match of the season.

Koren’s time coming to a close

Most A-League fans would, by now, know Robi Koren’s stint in a Melbourne City shirt has not gone exactly to plan. The Slovenian has enjoyed very little in the way of both productivity and goals; his most notable contribution was a hat-trick against a wounded Newcastle Jets last season.

His nightmare spell now looks almost certain to be coming to an end, quite possibly prematurely. John van’t Schip dropped him for the clash – entirely. Not even on the bench. A spell worth forgetting and quickly.

Outside90 Player of the Year votes

3 – Harry Novillo

2 – Thomas Sorensen

1 – Romeo Castelen

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