A spectacular first-half strike from Fernando Brandan lit up the contest, with a 10-man Sky Blues gifted a way back into the match late on via the penalty spot.

There were plenty of chances across a heated 90 minutes, with Rhyan Grant having a goal struck off for offside, while Nicolas Colazo struck the bar with a beautiful left-footed free kick.

Graham Arnold made two changes to the side that beat Newcastle last weekend with marquees Bobo and Filip Holosko restored to the starting side.

There were four changes for the visitors, with City coach John van’t Schip handing a Hyundai A-League debut to 19-year-old defender Ruon Tongyik.

The result means the Sky Blues maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign and six point gap at the top of the table from the recently crowned Westfield FFA Cup champions.

GOALS

0-1 Melbourne City: Fernando Brandan, 31’

Brandan received the ball from Argentine compatriot Nicolas Colazo and made a beeline for goal, unleashing a cracking shot from outside the box that gave Sydney FC keeper Danny Vukovic no chance.

1-1 Sydney FC: Bobo (pen), 81’

The Brazilian marquee was awarded a penalty when his jersey was tugged by Michael Jakobsen as he tried to get on the end of a threaded pass from Milos Ninkovic. Despite Dean Bouzanis guessing the right way Bobo found the back of the net with his spot kick.

OPTA DATA

  • Sydney FC continue their undefeated start to the season, which extends to ten matches.
  • Melbourne City stretched their unbeaten run against the Sky Blues to five matches (W2, D3).

RED CARD

Josh Brillante was given his marching orders midway through the second half after picking up a second yellow card for a late challenge on Neil Kilkenny.

KEY MOMENT

The Sky Blues thought they’d opened the scoring after 20 minutes when Grant found himself in space inside the box and pulled the trigger. The right back’s effort rippled the back of the net but the shot hit teammate Bobo on the goal line, with the goal struck off for offside.

CROWD

14,668 @ ANZ Stadium