Melbourne Victory have continued their fine recent run against Sydney FC with a plucky 1-0 win, after Matt Jurman’s own goal late in the second half.
The home side could have been in front inside two minutes, when Besart Berisha was put through one-on-one, but he sent his shot straight at a relieved Vedran Janjetović.
POPULAR ARTICLES
Yossi Benayoun is among trio of internationals keen on A-League move
WIN: A £50 voucher from Classic Football Shirts up for grabs!
Sydney’s Central Station to be transformed into world-class stadium for 2026 FIFA World Cup
A-League clubs snubbed Claudio Pizarro as potential marquee
After a cagey first half the game improved slightly in the second half as both teams wrestled for possession dominance.
Victory wasted a glorious chance when Nick Ansell failed to connect with the ball properly from close range.
Berisha had a goal correctly disallowed on 75 minutes for offside as the home team piled on the pressure, and just four minutes later they were rewarded.
Substitute Jesse Makarounas, barely on for more than five minutes, raced down the right-hand flank and played an enticing ball into the opposition penalty area that Sydney defender Jurman sliced into the back of the net.
The result means that Victory go fourth and edge themselves back into the top two race, while Sydney slip to fifth on goal difference with their Melbourne opponents.
Here are some of the best reactions from Twitter:
IMO Very happy the only team to play football tonight deserved the 3pts. @SydneyFC that’s not how to win trophies #MVCvSYD
— David Gianfriddo (@HGA_Melb) January 26, 2016
Imagine if Sydney actually tried to play for 90, rather than the last 10? #MVCvSYD
— Katie Lambeski (@katielambeski) January 26, 2016
#MVCvSYD As usual, a deserved win against a Sydney side who is suffering from Arnold’s incompetency.
— Heiko (@HeIIoMcFly) January 26, 2016
Really impressed with the defence. Jurman will be OK. #MVCvSYD
— Joey Crews (@joeycee87) January 26, 2016
It’s a cruel game sometimes. Jurman one of the best on ground but ends up directing a cross into his own net to lose it #MVCvSYD
— The Football Sack (@TheFootballSack) January 26, 2016
Play football Graham Arnold and you might get somewhere. You’re doing the @FFA no favours with that negative style. #MVCvSYD
— Jan Hibble (@bimmyjartel) January 26, 2016
Bad luck @Jurman_5 . You played a fantastic game and deserved better. Great defending this season. #MVCvSYD
— Andrew Nyman (@Anyman) January 26, 2016
Maybe try to play football next time, Graham Wahnold, instead of Keepings Off. #MVCvSYD #BigBlue #ALeague
— Dale Stevens (@Sui1977) January 26, 2016
Cruel for @Jurman_5 but justice for the game. @SydneyFC have shown no ambition so far tonight. #MVCvSYD
— Francis Leach (@SaintFrankly) January 26, 2016
This has been the football equivalent of the #Hottest100. #MVCvSYD
— Declan Rooney (@DeclanRooney) January 26, 2016
Is Andy Harper ever happy with anything that happens? He must never have made a mistake? #flog #MVCvSYD
— Andrew Wiseman (@ajwise85) January 26, 2016
The brand of football that Graham Arnold promotes is terrible. Watching them ‘play’ puts me to sleep. #MVCvSYD
— Josh Fahey (@miryuz_) January 26, 2016
Another entertaining game from the @ALeague Love the early morning football from Australia. 1-0 to the Victory #MVCvSYD ??☘??
— Martin O Riordan (@CorkBhoy37) January 26, 2016
Defenders absolutely hate those low crosses when facing their own goal #MVCvSYD
— Iggz (@adnyana179) January 26, 2016
These commentators would have you believing SydneyFC could be 10 goals down in extra time and still win. Unbelievable. #MVCvSYD
— Rowland (@rolowears27) January 26, 2016
that was a dreadful game, nobody deserved anything #MVCvSYD
— Samantha ಠ_ಠ (@battledinosaur) January 26, 2016
Class win for Victory, really back into contention now after those 4 defeats in a row. #MVCvSYD #ALeague #AustraliaDay #BigBlue
— Micky Loadwick (@forzamicky) January 26, 2016
A hard earned and gruelling win! 3 points well deserved!! @gomvfc #MVCvSYD #MVFC #BigBlue #BeautifulGame #ALeague
— Pete Fahy (@Ozbirdfan) January 26, 2016
Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our latest video addition of O90 TV on Youtube so you don’t miss any of the fan cams, match previews, exclusive interviews, plus a whole lot more this A-League season.
Because we love football.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
