Melbourne City have qualified for the FFA Cup semi-finals, thrashing a sluggish Western Sydney Wanderers 4-1 at AAMI Park on Wednesday evening.
City were never troubled as their new signings stole the show in front of 5,401 spectators. Tim Cahill, Michael Jakobsen and Fernando Brandan were all on target, while Argentinian Nicolas Colazo came close to registering his first assist barely 24 hours after his signing was confirmed.
Captain Nikolai Topor-Stanley’s dismissal made the Wanderers’ already tough task a whole lot harder. Already 2-0 down, Topor-Stanley brought down Fornaroli in the box as last man, leaving referee Jarred Gillett with little choice than to send him off.
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Dimas Delgado pulled a goal back with 17 minutes remaining, but by then it was too little, too late.
Western Sydney’s FFA Cup elimination means Topor-Stanley’s suspension will carry over to the A-League, where he will miss round one’s blockbuster Sydney Derby.
Offseason arrivals shine
The overall theme of the night was City’s new contingent. No less than eight signings featured, with three scoring: Jakobsen, Cahill and Brandan.
Goals aside, Luke Brattan impressed as A-League fans know he can with a radar-like passing range, and Colazo wasted little time in in making an impact.
Signed only yesterday, the on-loan Boca Juniors wide-man sent in a delightful ball that was met by Osama Malik, only for his header to crash off the post to the feet of Brandan, who tapped home.
Jakobsen’s perfect introduction
Thirty-year-old Jakobsen could hardly have dreamt of a more impressive City debut, and his impressive pedigree already seems to be rubbing off on his new environment.
The former Aalborg and current Denmark centre-half defied his primary skill-set to open the scoring after just two minutes with a theatrical bicycle kick on his first competitive start, affirming his arrival to the home fans.
At his natural end of the pitch, Jakobsen was rock-solid and barely tested. Returned Wanderer Kerem Bulut posed the greatest threat to the 30-year-old, closing down on goal in the 31st minute.
Jakobsen held his ground, winning the vital 50-50 duel as last man.
Cahill, Fornaroli quash chemistry concerns
When City announced Cahill’s signature, questions were asked whether he and 2015-16 Golden Boot winner Fornaroli could line up in the same starting XI.
Three games – both friendly and competitive – into Cahill’s City tenure and those queries appear to have been emphatically answered, with the pair combining brilliantly.
The Socceroo played behind Fornaroli and alongside Neil Kilkenny, with Luke Brattan taking his place in the No.6 role. Both Cahill and the Uruguayan played a crucial hand in two of City’s four goals.
Fornaroli was easily able to tap in a Cahill ball from the left, while the latter’s back-heel allowed El Tuna in behind, where he was carelessly fouled. Cahill smashed home the ensuing penalty and dealt the same amount of force to the left-hand corner flag.
Ironically, Cahill received an early mark in the 62nd minute, replaced by fellow new boy and marquee Colazo.
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