Melbourne City capitalised on their numerical advantage with a 3-1 win against a 10-man Brisbane Roar outfit at AAMI Park on Friday night.
City overcame a first-half deficit as goals from Aaron Mooy, Anthony Caceres and Nick Fitzgerald rendered Dimitri Petratos’ screamer insignificant.
Both coaches named unchanged line-ups for the clash, following impressive wins the week before.
The hosts took the initiative early on with Ivan Franjic, Mooy and Michael Zullo forcing Jamie Young into a succession of saves.
However, it was the visitors who opened the scoring in stunning fashion through Petratos, who controlled the ball on the edge of the 18-yard-box, before firing his half-volleyed effort past Thomas Sorensen.
City were then denied a penalty when Harry Novillo appeared to have been clearly fouled inside the area, but to his dismay was brandished a yellow card for simulation.
The second-half saw Young’s reflex save thwart an audacious back-heel attempt from Bruno Fornaroli, just after the restart.
Brisbane were reduced to 10 men when an already cautioned Jack Hingert pulled down Fornaroli in the box and deservedly received his marching. The ensuing spot-kick was nonchalantly dispatched by Mooy to restore parity.
John van’t Schip’s men search for a winner proved successful as Caceres’ thumping header gave the hosts the lead with 10 minutes remaining.
And they doubled their advantage as Fitzgerald was quickest to react to Fornaroli’s freekick that struck the crossbar, heading in from close range and sending City into first place.
Here are some of the best reactions from Twitter:
That's almost a bad miss for Mooy. He expected to score #MCYvBRI
— Matt (@Mattys123) March 18, 2016
First game on home soil for a while! Great to be back at the @ALeague pic.twitter.com/ISO7abTYlh
— Daniel Garb (@DanielGarb) March 18, 2016
Basheers going to run out of positive things to say about City and criticisms of Roar long before half time at this rate. #GoRoar #MCYvBRI
— John Heidemann (@John_Heidemann) March 18, 2016
How is that not a penalty? Novillo has been obstructed going into the box, it's a penalty #MCYvBRI @TheWorldGame
— Liam Curtis (@lcurtis92) March 18, 2016
Aloisi brothers have definitely improved Petratos attack. #MCYvBRI
— Liam Doolan (@liam_doolan) March 18, 2016
There's contact but Novillo initiates it. Leaves the leg there. Yellow all day. #MCYvBRI
— Ante Jukić (@a_jukic) March 18, 2016
Something that won't be forgotten hopefully is the Corona Hail Mary shot that won the corner for Dimi's goal. #MCYvBRI
— James Caughlin (@jcaughlin12) March 18, 2016
Career goal for Petratos, finally displaying necessary consistency. #MCYvBRI
— Liam Doolan (@liam_doolan) March 18, 2016
#MCYvBRI pic.twitter.com/xmGIU2RLwN
— Kazonaki (@kazonis) March 18, 2016
Wow. What a goal by Petratos. Excellent game.
— Les Murray (@lesmurraySBS) March 18, 2016
2nd half predictions
1. City equalise
2. Franjic second yellow
3. Brisbane score 88th min winner#MCYvBRI— David Hards (@hardsy05) March 18, 2016
Fornaroli's touch, strength, awareness and use of low centre of gravity are phenomenal. #MCYvBRI
— Daniel McBreen (@djmcbreen) March 18, 2016
GOAAALL. CITY ARE TOP OF THE FRICKING TABLE ?????? #MCYvBRI
— Matt (@Mattys123) March 18, 2016
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