In the end, it was the initial signing in Western United history, Panagiotis Kone, that scored their first-ever home goal to send the A-League newcomers into ecstasy, before Kristian Popovic marked a first of his own, nabbing his maiden A-League strike and Perth’s equaliser.

Unlike in their inaugural win against Wellington Phoenix the week prior, United was unable to dictate the tempo of the contest against the defending premiers.

Pressing fiercely, Tony Popovic’s side had the hosts under the pump and reliant upon moments of class from their veterans – Alessandro Diamanti and Scott McDonald most notably – to spring them forward in transition.

Unlike the 0-0 opening stanza of Friday night’s contest between Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers, however, the goalless opening between the two sides was an entertaining one.

Whilst Perth continued to remain in the ascendency – Diego Castro perhaps should have done better in the 16th minute when he failed to pull the trigger after breaking straight through the heart of the United line-up – they were unable to truly get going in the final third.

Constant tension maintained by the knowledge that, despite being on the back foot, the likes of Diamanti, McDonald, Panagiotis Kone or the irrepressible Besart Berisha could turn the game on its head.

With the half winding on and the game beginning to settle – Perth’s pressing beginning to dissipate to match United’s offhanded defensive setup – the game then began to take on a evener nature; flicks, short passes and creative flourishes offered as both sides looked to take advantage of the space afforded to them to no avail.

Thankfully for observers, Kone’s 49th minute strike after the Greek international received a cutback from McDonald and fired into the net prevented the intriguing contest from devolving into a stupor as it entered the second half; Perth forced to open up to chase the game and, in turn, providing opportunities for United to hit back in transition.

Diamanti almost made it 2-0 in spectacular fashion in the 58th minute when he forced a diving save from Perth keeper Liam Reddy after launching a stinging effort from range and Berisha had a headed goal ruled out for offside two minutes later.

Despite seemingly going off the boil for a period after the goal, Glory’s nonetheless created a chance in the 67th minute of the contest when a speculative ball into the area was met by the head of Kim Soobeom only for the resulting shot to go straight at Filip Kurto.

However, the time and space they were being afforded by a United outfit not inclined to bring the heat eventually paid dividends when, in the 76th minute, Neil Kilkenny had all the time in the world to tee up a picture-perfect cross in to the back post to set up K Popovic – son of Tony – to nod home.

Second-half substitute Dylan Pierias almost stole it for his side in the 84th minute when he was played through with a gorgeous ball by Risdon, only to have his chip over Reddy hit the crossbar.

Despite the disappointment of throwing away the lead in their maiden home fixture, functionally, United once again demonstrated that they will likely acquit themselves well in the campaign ahead in the win.

Rudan’s sides in Wellington had made a habit of getting results in games when they had had less possession then their opponents and the same rule rang true on Saturday: Perth having the ball 54 per cent of the ball to United’s 46.

With a starting XI largely made up of wily veterans whose odometers have quite a number of miles upon them, United are not going to be in a possession where they take games to their foes and play them off the park.

Though it comes with the danger of side’s being granted enough time to pick them apart as Perth did for Popovic’s equaliser, Rudan may very well have found a formula to ensure that they see some success anyway.