Melbourne City are within three points of top spot following a 4-1 win against the Central Coast Mariners at AAMI Park.
After going behind to Mitch Austin’s first half opener, City responded emphatically after the break in a match that was marred by a serious injury to Mariners defender Storm Roux.
Patrick Kisnorbo levelled matters with a thumping header, while Aaron Mooy added a brace and Ben Garuccio scored his maiden goal in the A-League.
Fabio Ferreira was sent off for the visitors in the closing stages, adding to a mountain of problems for coach Tony Walmsley with the F3 Derby next weekend.
Melbourne City
Thomas Sorensen – 6: Can’t be faulted for Mitch Austin’s opener. Had nothing to do otherwise.
Patrick Kisnorbo – 7: Solid defensively and scored the equalising goal.
Alex Wilkinson – 7: Largely untroubled. City’s shining light defensively.
Ivan Franjic – 5: Didn’t offer enough in attack and was exposed for Austin’s goal.
Michael Zullo – 6: Booked before the break. Showed great desire in attack but failed to find fluency.
Osama Malik – 6: Poor before the break, but improved after it as did his team.
Aaron Mooy – 9: Kept quiet in the first half. Burst into life after the break with a penalty conversion, assist, and sumptuous late free kick.
Paolo Retre – 4: Defended horribly for Austin’s opener. Substituted on 79 minutes for Jacob Melling.
Nick Fitzgerald – 6: Failed to shine against his former employers but won the penalty which Mooy converted. Substituted on 84 minutes for Steve Kuzmanovski.
Bruno Fornaroli – 5: Missed a host of presentable chances. Personally, his worst outing in a City shirt.
Ben Garuccio – 7: Good, even battle with Storm Roux and scored shortly after the defender was substituted to seal the points. Substituted on 87 minutes for Wade Dekker.
SUBSTITUTES
Jacob Melling – 6: Brought on for the final 10 minutes plus stoppage time in a fairly pressure-free outing. Hit the post with a 25-yard drive.
Steve Kuzmanovski – N/A: Could not impact the contest with such little time to play and the game decided.
Wade Dekker – N/A: Stretched his legs and had little time to do much else.
Central Coast Mariners
Paul Izzo – 8: Made simple saves from Mooy and Fornaroli in the first half. Made it his mission to deny the Uruguayan in particular. Not at fault for any of the goals.
Storm Roux – 6: Busy against Garuccio. Succumbed to a horrible knee injury on the hour mark.
Harry Ascroft – 7: His job was made simpler as the Mariners defended deeply and performed relatively well.
Jacob Poscoliero – 5: Good battle with Fornaroli initially, but gave away the penalty and should have been sent off.
J. Rose – 6: Needs more experience beside him, and was given far too much to do against a rampant City outfit.
Nick Montgomery – 6: Booked on 38 minutes. Worked hard to deny City’s midfield but had little support.
L. Rose – 6: Showed some nice touches but needs to continue to develop at this level.
Josh Bingham – 6: Busy in attack, but most of his work was of a defensive nature.
Fabio Ferreira – 4: Service to the winger was awful throughout but showed some nice touches. Sent off and may risk further suspension for an outburst at the officials.
Mitch Austin – 6: Put his side ahead with a great solo effort. Struggled for service once City improved.
Trent Buhagiar – 5: Showed his pace but lack of top level smarts. Substituted on 74 minutes.
SUBSTITUTES
Michael Neill – 5: Replaced Roux and worked hard in his place.
Adam Berry – 5: Brought on with 15 minutes remaining and had little impact on his A-League debut.
Brad McDonald – N/A: Played out stoppage time but could not get involved as City dominated play.
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