Melbourne City sought to succeed on their immensely positive showing following their devastating 5-0 win against Adelaide United last round, while Newcastle were looking to increase the gap between them and City on the ladder.

Newcastle lacked the flair of their attacking play with Dimi Petratos missing (having returned to Newcastle for the birth of his first child) but Patito Rodriguez was more than exceptional in replacing him, providing trickery, whilst lacking the outlets he desired as he moved forward.

The game presented a unique conflict, between that of the silky young starlet Daniel Arzani and the effortless Argentine Rodriguez. Both players seemed to be the focal points of their respective teams attacking plays and were cause for much frustration for both sides in defence.

Both teams played without a recognised striker as Warren Joyce opted to play without a definitive striker, seeking to utilise Vidosic as a false nine, with Ernie Merrick doing the same with Andrew Nabbout. If not for Steven Ugarkovic’s heroics in the final minutes the result would have favoured City and been the ultimate send off for the departing McCormack.

Melbourne City

Dean Bouzanis – 5

Poorly cleared towards Rodriguez and was stumped by Topor-Stanley’s header. Was rarely tested beyond a Nabbout shot.

Manny Muscat – 6.5

Competed with his physicality and battled well to win the ball back, but his passing let him down on occasion.

Harrison Delbridge - 6

A mixed game for the imposing defender, composed at times yet alternatively haphazard in other moments. Fairly denied a goal by the VAR.

Michael Jakobsen – 6

Seemed to face more action in the front end of the pitch than in his defence.

Scott Jamieson – 7

Unlucky to have struck the bar with his free kick and was lively on the left flank throughout the night despite tiring at the end.

Osama Malik - 7

Combative in intervening with the Jets’ counter attacks. His aerial challenges were important in reclaiming the ball to maintain City’s possession play.

Luke Brattan – 8

Drove ambitiously through the midfield, working tirelessly and was nearly rewarded with a goal for his efforts as he hit the bar. Furthermore his crossing was constantly inviting, as proven by his assist for Vidosic.

Marcin Budzinksi – 5

The Polish marquee has been on fire in recent weeks but was kept relatively quiet against the Jets. Was lucky to escape a red.

Stefan Mauk – 5.5

Smart play in winning the penalty yet was largely ineffectual in linking up in attack. Replaced at half time by McCormack.

Dario Vidosic – 7.5

Always sought to create opportunities for his teammates, notching a headed goal after many attempts throughout the match.

Daniel Arzani – 7

Presented the most danger for Melbourne City through his mazy runs and dribbles in the opening part of the game. Whilst his crossing let him down at times, he earned the opportunity to open his scoring tally for the season, which he clinically did with a well taken penalty.

SUBS

Ross McCormack – 6.5 

In what was seemingly his final 45 minutes in a Melbourne City shirt, he seemed destined to end his stint in fairy-tale fashion but was denied by Ugarkovic.

Nick Fitzgerald – 6

Was industrious with his movement of the ball in the final third.

Bruce Kamau – 6

Importantly provided the pace Melbourne needed to heap pressure on the tiring Newcastle defence.

Newcastle Jets

Jack Duncan – 6.5

Saved well early from Arzani and exceptionally from Jakobsen’s header. Remained diligent in his shot stopping throughout the match but cleared poorly at times which allowed Melbourne to reshape.

Ivan Vujica – 7

Had to contend with the tricky Arzani but defended astutely and was determined in attack. Would have been happy to see the VAR work in his favour.

Nigel Boogard – 6.5

Dealt effectively with many of the shots and crosses that came in to the box.

Nikolai Topor-Stanley – 6

Despite a brilliant looping header to open the scoring he struggled to deal with the fluid movement of the Melbourne attack.

Daniel Georgievski – 4

Frustration caused him to give away a penalty in reckless fashion, additionally he pulled down Arzani to earn a yellow minutes later. Beyond that Georgievski wasted opportunities, demonstrated significantly in overplaying a ball to Nabbout in the City box.

Ben Kantarovski – 5

Should have done better with his header in the first half and was largely quiet throughout.

Steven Ugarkovic – 7

Simply heroic in denying McCormack what would have been the winner. Won the ball efficiently and moved proactively to shut down the City midfield in defence.

Joe Champness – 5

Linked up in style with Rodriguez at times but was contained by the experienced Muscat.

Jason Hoffman – 6.5

Lacked the pace and unpredictability that Newcastle needed on the right flank and left Jamieson open more often than not, but was well placed for his goal.

Patito Rodriguez – 8.5

Lit up the game from the offset. His patience and use of trickery in the build up to crossing to Topor-Stanley for the opener was classy. Newcastle would have experienced more positive play if they utilised the Argentine in the second half as much they did in the first.

Andrew Nabbout – 6

Threatened with his powerful shot against Bouzanis but was not given enough opportunities to impact the game.

SUBS

Riley McGree – 6.5

The loanee worked fantastically on the ball, setting up Nabbout’s saved shot that resulted in Hoffman’s goal.

Lachlan Jackson – 6

Added fresh legs to the tiring defence.

Angus Thurgate – N/A

Had minimal time to change the game.