BEST

Galloway's beautiful double-nutmeg

I praise Scott Galloway virtually every weekend so I'll keep it light, especially given I'm on the verge of unloading on Australia's left-back hopes.

On the ground, scrambling to retain possession with two City defenders incoming, Galloway's sumptuous drag-back double nutmeg was arguably the most exciting moment of the match. 

Nathaniel Atkinson

If Galloway and Atkinson can secure better career moves than Aziz Behich and Alex Gersbach have, then the Socceroos will have very different defensive set-up before we know it.

The flashy fullback offers excellent attacking poise, with a knack for misleading his opposing marker while still retaining the natural enthusiasm and work-rate a truly world-class defender needs.

Game-killing goalkeepers

While Eugene Galekovic has been his usual hardy best throughout this season, Paul Izzo has been a far less consistent option - at least until tonight. 

Both keepers were excellent, especially Izzo's repetitive denies of high-flying Harrison Delbridge. There were several close-calls and had Jamie Maclaren's potentially embarrassing near-post effort creeped in behind Izzo. 

WORST

George Blackwood

Is Blackwood ever going to take that next step? He's got an excellent sense of where his defensive marker is in relation to his position, a growing physique and tidy technical skills that make him seem more than a little like Tomi Juric at his age.

However, perhaps like Juric, he seems a little timid. He missed latching onto a few choice Galloway crosses and his finishing is particularly underwhelming. That effort straight into Galkeovic from directly in front springs to mind...

Misfiring Socceroos

While he's been out of the setup for a few years now, Craig Goodwin was pushing hard for Socceroos contention at the beginning of the season, yet has drifted further away from the required level ever since. 

He was in Atkinson's pocket for far too long tonight and despite a few promising overlapping runs and slighted balls, couldn't impress himself upon the fixture. For Jamie Maclaren, it's a differing yet somehow similar story - just not enough product from an Australian international.

Limping into finals

After a commanding win against Wellington Phoenix last week, United fans would be forgiven for hoping that Marco Kurz, at least for pride's sake, was steering them towards a strong finish.

In truth, neither City or United look particularly capable of making an indent on finals. The way Adelaide dominated the opening half just to fall away, much like City's own performance, is evidence on both sides' biggest issue - inconsistency in spades.