It had everything.
Epic football, goals, controversy.
Both Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory were desperate for the three points, eager to gain the ascendency over their neighbours with both sides deadlocked at 28 points apiece.
The action on the park lived up to the stakes and hype, and in the end, the bitter foes could not be split in an breathless battle.
Here’s what the media made of it all.
After the week the A-League has had, one would think fans would steer clear of igniting flares. Clearly, some did not get the memo. Veteran Fairfax Media journalist Michael Lynch was scathing of those fans, asking: “what kind of stupid are Melbourne Victory fans?”
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After the inception of the Sydney Derby, debate has raged. Which A-League intra-city derby is better? Melbourne’s, or Sydney’s? For many, the answer has often been the latter. But after Saturday’s thriller, Goal Australia chief editor Michael Huguenin argued that the City vs Victory rivalry can finally lay claim to be being Australia’s premier fixture. Huguenin described the match as “sporting theatre at its finest” and that the derby finally came of age.
Herald Sun football reporter David Davutovic lauded the performance of City striker Bruno Fornaroli, heaping praise on the free-scoring Uruguayan. Now up to 17 goals for the season, Davutovic believes Fornaroli can individually carry Melbourne City to A-League glory, such is his phenomenal ability.
Also in the Herald Sun, Matt Windley wrote of the spectacle that was the derby, suggesting that interest must surely be growing in the game among the free-to-air networks after yet another thrilling contest, with the time to negotiate a new TV deal fast approaching. You can read his full article by picking up a copy of today’s Sunday Herlad Sun.
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