A Harry Novillo brace saw Melbourne City over the line in a memorable, if not contentious, 3-2 win over Western Sydney earlier tonight.
Outside90’s Jackson Fanning takes a look at the standout performers from both sides of the pitch.
Melbourne City
Thomas Sorensen – 8: Saw arguably his first real howler of the season and he still gets a great rating. Regrouped after the mistake for Mitch Nichols’ goal and made some outstanding stops in the second-half – first to deny Romeo Castalen and then a double save with the game in the balance.
Jack Clisby – 4: Solid first-half but had a nightmare trying to contain Castalen after he came on. Never had much support from the midfield and was isolated a lot. Shuffled to centre-back late and did well to tighten things after Harry Novillo’s winner.
Aaron Hughes – 5: A much better performance from the Melbourne City centre-half pairing. Still had their momentary lapses, particularly the first goal where Nichols was able to pretty much stroll into a one-on-one situation. Body position was all out of shape for his own goal and was substituted for Glen Trifiro with 20 to go in a backline reshuffle.
Patrick Kisnorbo – 5.5: Despite leaking two goals and looking very shaky in the last half an hour, it was a much improved performance and both defences were victim to the open and expansive nature of the game. Kisnorbo rallied his troops well and was disciplined for the most part in keeping a higher line.
Ben Garrucio – 7: Outstanding in the first-half and a great source of attack, linking up well down the left-hand side with Novillo and whipping in a few wicked balls early. Taken-off just after halftime as van’t Schip looked to close the game down, although it almost had the opposite effect.
Erik Paartalu – 6: A tale of two halves for both holding-midfielders. First they pressed high and did not allow Tony Popovic’s men to transition in any sense, Paartalu winning the ball a number of times. In the latter stages, the Wanderers used their width and were able to take up higher positions, with Jacob Melling and Paartalu largely ineffective.
Jacob Melling – 5: Probably just outdone by his partner in the midfield, but not through lack of trying. Gave a great effort and though was caught out a of position a few times in the second-half, it did not ultimately cost the team.
Paulo Retre – 3.5: Not really seen for large portions of this game, went missing particularly in the second-half.
Aaron Mooy – 8.5: No team in football is ever a one-man side, but the influence this man has on Melbourne City at the moment is ridiculous. The difference in the midfield’s between this week and last were night and day, with Mooy again the focal point tonight. Excellent counter-attack for City’s second goal, picking up another assist to Bruno Fornarolli.
Bruno Fornarolli – 9: Unbelievable effort again from the Uruguayan. Added his seventh goal in seven games with a sublime curled effort past Andrew Redmayne from the top of the box. More importantl, did a lot of the dirty work by making runs into the corners and exploiting the space in behind Western Sydney.
Harry Novillo – 8: Two weeks ago the Frenchman was playing a supporting act to Mooy and Fornarolli, he is now well and truly a force in the final-third. Like last week looked a little out of the game, before taking it upon himself and coming more central to ignite City’s attack in the second-half. Recording the opener with a clever free-kick and the winning goal.
Substitutes
Michael Zullo – 5: Came on just after halftime and was called upon more defensively than going forward. Struggled a little, but watch for a partnership with Novillo in the latter half of the season, this being the second week in a row that they have linked up well on his return from injury.
David Williams – N/A: Not enough of the ball to make an impact.
Jason Trifiro – N/A: Came on to tighten things up late, but no way could you judge him on that considering the pace of the game.
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Western Sydney Wanderers
Andrew Redmayne – 5: Also could have had a higher rating after making some great saves throughout the night. Could be held responsible for the third goal as he should not be beaten from that far out and was definitely at fault for Novillo’s first. No excuses for getting beaten near-side on a free kick.
Jacob Pepper – 4: In his less favourable fullback position and would have been shocked by how deep he was forced to sit in the first-half. Struggled to contain the City front three, but a lot of sides do.
Alberto Aguilar – 4: After three clean sheets in four games the backline finally broke as they played into City’s hands by allowing the game to be so open. Both backlines sat high and Fornarolli and Novillo loved the space in behind he and Nikolai Topor-Stanley.
Nikolai Topor-Stanley – 4: Was caught man-marking the Uruguayan a lot and could not keep with him. Did not have much to do in the second-half as the Wanderers took up a lot of possession in the attacking-half.
Scott Jamieson – 3.5: A little out of sorts tonight. Was impressive up to this point in the season, but could not sit as high as he wanted to in the first-half and then could not get involved in the late stages.
Dimas – 5: Another that would have suffered and was unable to play his natural game in the first-half. Was not very involved and perhaps did not screen the back four as well as possible for Novillo’s final goal.
Andreu – 4.5: Struggled along with Dimas and the game was played at far too fast a pace for his liking. Will look for a better effort next week.
Dario Vidosic – 6: Created several chances in the first-half and had a few shots from distance, but nothing that really troubled the City goal. Worked hard though and was subbed-off late.
Mitch Nicholls – 8: Unlucky to be part of a losing effort tonight. One of the Wanderers best, but a goal was his only consolation. Was the focal point of the attack in the second-half and continually caused problems.
Mark Bridge – 7: Had opportunities to win the game in the second-half. Did not do a lot wrong tonight and linked up very well with Nichols.
Federico Piovaccari – 4.5: Was outsmarted by City’s higher line in the first-half and was substituted for Castalen. Worked hard into the channels but caught offside a few times.
Substitutions
Romeo Castalen – 8.5: Only on the park for the second-half but was arguably the Wanderers’ best player. Had an immediate effect crossing the ball for the Hughes own goal and could of snatched the lead only minutes later when his one-on-one effort was smothered by Sorensen.
Gol Gol Mebrahtu – N/A
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