Melbourne City and Sydney FC played out an enthralling 2-2 draw at AMMI Park overnight in a game that had it all.
Sydney dominated the opening proceedings and had a number of chances to open the scoring, with the most clear-cut opportunity falling to youngster George Blackwood who sent his chipped effort over the cross bar. City opened the scoring against the run of play from an Aaron Hughes header late in the second half.
Milos Ninkovic levelled for City before the A-League’s leading goalscorer Bruno Fornaroli scored this 11th of the campaign, giving Harry Novillo his second assist of the night. Ninkovic grabbed himself a brace and his side a share of the points with a looping header over City goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.
City make the most of their opportunities, Sydney don’t
Sydney FC started the match the better of the two sides and on numerous occasions found themselves in dangerous positions to put the ball in the back of the net. Poor finishing and some wonderful goalkeeping from Thomas Sorensen kept the Sky Blues on numerous occasions. 18-year-old George Blackwood found himself in the right place at the right time on a number of occasions in which he probably should have scored. Blackwood did in fact have a goal ruled out due to Filip Holosko being in an offside position.
At the other end City proved why they are considered among those predicted to be contending for the title at the end of the season. The noisy neighbours opened the scoring with their first real threat on goal following wonderful corner delivery from Harry Novillo, whose cross was met by the head of former Fulham and Newcastle United defender Aaron Hughes, who grabbed his first A-League goal.
Sydney dominated the game for large parts of the game and will be counting the cost of missing out on a number of dangerous chances. The Sky Blues failures not to take chances will be a call for concern for Coach Graham Arnold who is currently without forwards Alex Brosque and Matt Simon.
No Mooy, No Worries
With Aaron Mooy on the sidelines questions were always going to be asked who was going to provide the creative spark for City, enter Harry Novillo and Bruno Fornaroli. Frenchmen Novillo sparked his side into action with a mazy run accompanied by great strength before releasing a shot which stung the gloves of Sydney keeper Vedran Janjetovic after a lacklustre opening from the home side.
Fornaroli’s hold up play ensured the home side continued numerous attacks, with the Uruguayan rewarded for his efforts with a well-placed header to give his side a 2-1 lead before the Sky Blues equalised yet again. Novillo and Fornaroli’s creative instincts proved to be the difference for a very much weakened Melbourne City side missing three regular starters due to injury.
If the duo can continue this type of form with Mooy in the side, they will have the rest of the competition shaking in their boots forming one of the best line-ups going forward. Given the side’s goal scoring ability they will be key for City’s title chances especially if the team struggles with its defensive responsibilities as it did for parts of the game tonight.
Ninkovic and Holosko saves a point for Sydney
The visitors twice came from behind to grab a point and many thanks to Milos Ninkovic and Filip Holosko. The pair created and finished the goals which ensured Sydney would return home from a game where they could have quite possibly should have taken all three points back to Sydney.
Ninkovic rose to the occasion twice to get his side back into the game first with a smartly taken finish from inside the six yard box before grabbing a brace with a looping header. Slovakian winger Holosko has been criticised in recent weeks for his performances so far this season and will only be hoping to build on this performance.
Sydney’s ability to rescue a point is a plus point coming from the match despite having the better chances throughout the night. The result means Sydney have still failed to come from behind and win a match this season.
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