A first-half goal to Jamie Maclaren appeared to have City sitting pretty heading into the sheds at halftime of the historic contest at Kardinia Park, but United’s sparks of brilliance were able to ignite as the second half resumed – Besart Berisha dragging it back to 1-1 from the spot.

However, the on-fire Maclaren made it two braces in two A-League games for 2019/20 when he hammered home late to give City the win.

Coming into their first-ever meeting with United off the back of an abject humiliation at the hands of Adelaide United, Melbourne City Head Coach Erick Mombaerts had demanded his response on Sunday afternoon.

And, in the first half, his players certainly delivered one.

Be it Rostyn Griffiths earning himself a yellow card within five minutes for throwing his weight around or Harrison Delbridge firing off piercing balls though the heart of the United line-up, City clearly appeared keen to get restore some pride after disintegrating against the Reds.   

When Genreau teed the ball up for Griffiths to blast a shot in from long-range that forced a fine, diving save from Kurto it also became readily apparent that United was unlikely to be able to absorb the first half pressure in the same manner that they had done against Perth Glory the week prior.

That’s not to say, however, that United fans had nothing to cheer for in the opening 45 minutes – albeit said moments of brevity often arrived in the form of openings rather than clear chances.

Once again, the veteran nous and undeniable class of Alessandro Diamanti was on full display; the Italian – supported by Scott McDonald and Panagiotis Kone – demonstrating a wanton disregard for the spirit of his City opponents as he deftly flicked the ball around with casual ease.

A perfectly delivered corner in the 20th minute by the 36-year-old perfectly picked out the darting run to the near post by Berisha but the resulting header from the Kosovo international was straight at Dean Bouzanis.

Nonetheless, it proved to be a rare clear opening in the opening half for the hosts as City responded with further chances; demonstrating that whilst they might not have the polish of United’s highly credentialled midfield, they definitely had the legs.   

Fittingly, their breakthrough arrived in the 32nd minute when United’s normally skilful play abandoned them; a pass behind Diamanti resulting in the ball spilling to Denis Genreau, who, in turn, dinked a gorgeous pass into the area that Maclaren chested down and fired home.

As City continued to run hard throughout the half, seeing a lot of joy down the flank of Noone, United – despite beginning to stir late – did well to get to the halftime break down just a single goal; City’s performance worthy of a two or three-goal lead.  

Yet, dipping once again into the playbook that they had used against Glory, United came out firing in the second half to turn the game on its head.

The torturer of City for so many years while in a Victory shirt, Berisha proved the main beneficiary of this swing in momentum that saw United's quick and sharp play go up a level; hitting the post in the 57th minute after being played in by a perfect ball from Diamanti as United broke in transition.

Five minutes past the hour mark, the 34-year-old gratefully seized upon a wayward back pass from Connor Metcalfe – who had lost his place in the starting XI from midweek – and stormed into the area before being brought down by Harrison Delbridge.

With Delbridge seeing red after earning his second yellow, Berisha, who guarded the ball with a Gollum like intensity to ensure the spot-kick was his, sent Bouzanis the wrong way to make it 1-1.  

Introducing the pace of Dylan Pierias and Max Burgess to proceedings to supplement their attacks, it appears as though the stage was set for Head Coach Mark Rudan to claim another scalp in his impressive opening to life in Tarneit.

However, with just five minutes remaining a long ball over the top from Brilliante was run onto by Maclaren, who hammered a shot beyond Kurto to restore City’s lead.

Despite creating a number of chances late, United was unable to respond and will now head into their meeting with Melbourne Victory next week looking to, for the first time in club history, looking to bounce back from a loss.

Fielding the same starting XI for the third time in as many games, Rudan will have to monitor his veteran sides for signs of wear and tear ahead of the long and hot summer months while still keeping the momentum of the promise they have shown alive.

For City, back-to-back defeats have now been avoided but questions remain.

Though Noone performed well, Wales struggled on the wing across from his, leaving still lingering questions about their flanks and they will now have to replace Delbridge for the contest against the Wellington Phoenix next week. 

Oh, and as absolutely brilliant as he is playing, it would be nice if they could find someone other than Maclaren to score.