Tim Cahill’s home debut for Melbourne City got off to the perfect start, defeating the Western Sydney Wanderers 4-1 in the FFA Cup quarter-finals at AAMI Park.
The club’s biggest capture in their history scored his first competitive goal from the penalty spot and notched an assist in an encouraging display.
Summer signing Michael Jakobsen announced himself to the City faithful inside two minutes with a stunning overhead bicycle kick goal, after Wanderers’ goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne flapped at Luke Brattan free-kick.
City doubled their advantage just after the half-hour mark when Brattan’s persistence down the right wing ended in Cahill squaring a simple ball across goal for Bruno Fornaroli to tap in from point-blank range.
Moments before half-time the contest was effectively over, when Nikolai Topor-Stanley was shown a straight red for bringing down an onrushing Fornaroli after a clever backheel from Cahill sent him through one-on-one with Redmayne.
The stage was set, as Fornaroli gave Cahill his blessing to take the spot kick, and the Socceroos’ record goalscorer fired the ball into the roof of the net with a rasping drive.
City rubbed salt into Wanderers’ wounds after a neat cross from new recruit Nicolas Colazo saw Fornaroli head against the post, with fellow Argentinean Fernando Brandan on hand to tap in the rebound from two yards.
The visitors scored a consolation through Dimas, but that could not take the gloss off a magical night for City who progressed to the semi-finals of the FFA Cup.
Here are some of the best reactions on Twitter following the result:
Inevitable @Tim_Cahill goal! #MCYvWSW pic.twitter.com/298WySh1HV
— ˗ˏˋ OssyOsbert ˎˊ˗ (@ossyosbert) September 21, 2016
Topor is done. Over. Bring back Aspro. #MCYvWSW
— West Sydney Football (@WestSydney) September 21, 2016
That is City to a T right there we have an extra man and our defence still manages to leave a player unmarked in the box lol #MCYvWSW
— Shiellsy (@chadnotweet) September 21, 2016
Topor Stanley thinks too slowly & moves too slowly.
The sort of central defender that ALeague clubs would’ve recruited in 2005/06.#MCYvWSW— Dean Rosario (@DeanRosario) September 21, 2016
I honestly think @lukebrattan will fill the void left by @Aaron_Mooy. Great replacement. He’s had a fantastic game tonight. #FFACup #MCYvWSW
— Jack Ryan (@jackdennisryan) September 21, 2016
I know WSW are a man down, but City have been playing some really nice football #MCYvWSW
— TheMoscowSlip (@TheMoscowSlip) September 21, 2016
Just way too casual at the back. Honestly can’t remember a more lacklustre performance under Popa #MCYvWSW
— TheMoscowSlip (@TheMoscowSlip) September 21, 2016
bloody hell Redmayne is useless #FFACup #Aleague #MCYvWSW
— Dale Stevens (@Sui1977) September 21, 2016
When it rains it pours for WSW. Popa taking Bulut off when we are man down is something Wenger would do. #MCYvWSW #FFACup
— Alexander Wilson (@alexanderw_17) September 21, 2016
Have actually been surprised by Rose, Kamau & Malik tonight as well they have all looked better #MCYvWSW
— Shiellsy (@chadnotweet) September 21, 2016
More I watch @MelbourneCity the more I’m impressed with their recruitment. Rose is a great pickup and that’s flown under the radar. #MCYvWSW
— Jack Ryan (@jackdennisryan) September 21, 2016
Popa’s post game team talk is going to be frightening#MCYvWSW
— TheMoscowSlip (@TheMoscowSlip) September 21, 2016
“Aaron Mooy is not Luke Brattan.
And, Luke is not Aaron.”Those are the insights that make Andy Harper a really special analyst.#MCYvWSW
— Dean Rosario (@DeanRosario) September 21, 2016
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