After Paul Izzo conceded an early penalty for a late tumble into Stefan Mauk, McCormack stroked one home to give City the lead, then converted a stunning free kick – Del Piero style – to cement City’s advantage.

Adelaide busted a gut trying to salvage something, but George Blackwood looked out of his depth against a ferocious Bart Schenkeveld, as did everyone else on the park.

So now that we’ve given you the spoilers, here’s how the rest rated:

ADELAIDE UNITED

Paul Izzo – 6

A little big shaky and deserved to concede the penalty. It wasn’t the sort of performance that leaves Adelaide fans rueing Galekovic’s loss, but it was close.

Michael Marrone - 7.5

Whoever's teaching Adelaide’s fullbacks to cross deserves a spot in the Socceroos set up. Either that or give Marrone some one-on-one time with Leckie. Both he and Garrucio faded when they ran out legs, but overall they were superb.

Ben Warland – 6.5

He and Elsey are attacking assets when they’re in the groove, slotting purposeful passes and stringing counters. Defensively, they’re not title contenders.

Jordan Elsey – 6

He looked shell-shocked for the opening fifteen minutes but settled quickly, and like his partner at centreback, orchestrated decisively from the back.

Ben Garuccio - 7.5

Fantastic crosses early and showed dynamism down the left side but he got caught late trying to repeatedly cross from the byline, repeatedly finding Galekovic’s gloves when his team desperately needed better.

Isaías - 7         

Same old calming influence, he retains possession beautifully but suits a deeper role when his team aren’t chasing a game. He was also slightly loose from set pieces.

Daniel Adlung – 6

He’s mobile and gets around like he’s providing something, but he’s sloppy from crosses and takes set pieces like the modern Cristiano Ronaldo – nice run up, but no accuracy.

Nathan Konstandopoulos – 6

Silky on the ball but made some naive errors. Got an unfair reaction from the crowd upon his withdrawal.           

Karim Matmour – 6.5

All of Adelaide’s attackers get a 9 for effort and a 3 for composure. Matmour’s very comfortable on the ball and occasionally produces a bit of magic, but for someone with 30 caps for Algeria, he leaves you feeling disappointed.

Nikola Mileusnic – 6

Adelaide fans should be furious with him. For everything he did right, to loosely stab wide when your teams 2-0 down with 35 minutes to go is a coach killer. Apart from that a decent performance, but seriously…

George Blackwood – 5

He seriously needs a goal. Nowhere near involved enough for a player with his supposed potential, and doesn’t seem strong enough to contend with A-League defenders. Weak in the air, and Adelaide’s style seems entirely based around Diawara’s aerial ability.

Jordan O’Doherty – N/A

Could have scored late and looks promising, but not on for long enough to deserve a proper rating.

Ryan Kitto – N/A

Not on long enough to deserve a proper rating.

Apostolos Stamatelopoulos - N/A

Not on long enough to deserve a proper rating.

 

MELBOURNE CITY

Eugene Galekovic – 9

Old loyalties soon forgotten, Eugene put in a shift for his new side and proved that age is as irrelevant as last season’s form.

It’s hard to believe that he could attract criticism from Adelaide fans, but perhaps they were a bit jaded that he’s still got it after all.

Manny Muscat – 6

Same old Manny. Still can’t cross but he provides defensive solidity.

Bart Schenkeveld - 9  

Brilliant block to deny Matmour when Adelaide looked most dangerous, quick to intercept and agile enough to stake a claim for the A-League’s finest defender.

Iacopo La Rocca – 7

While he gives the ball away cheaply, he’s an old fashioned solid A-league stalwart – the modern franchise player - who doesn’t suit quick transitions, or quick anything for that matter, but can cannon a header off the crossbar like few others.

Scott Jamieson – 6.5

Had a decent first half but was withdrawn just before the break with a hamstring issue. 

Michael Jakobsen – 7

Always willing to bomb forward and typically influential, strong defensively but along with Luke Brattan, chased shadows for the majority of the second half.

Luke Brattan – 6

Admittedly his task was made near-impossible with Malik’s dismissal, but he didn’t play to his potential, and has to expect more from himself then his last few performances have offered.

Osama Malik – 6

What he offers in physicality he then loses in sensibility. Sent off for two very cheap fouls admittedly, but he asked the question and got his answer. It’s doubtful he knows any other way to play.   

Nick Fitzgerald – 6.5

It’s easy to be impressed with Fitzy, he works hard, makes incisive runs and provides opportunities, but he’s still the weak point in Melbourne City’s attack. He can’t covert chances and dallies on the ball when he shouldn’t.

Bruce Kamau – 7

Showed his inexperience at times, straying offside and being careless with the ball but he put in a sterling effort defensively.

Stefan Mauk – 7

Earned a penalty, performed strongly in the first half and was unlucky not to score late on, but was far too cavalier in the final few minutes when given the chance to put the game beyond doubt. Luckily, City didn’t need it tonight, but they will need it eventually.                  

Ross McCormack – 9

The sign of a truly top drawer marquee is their set pieces, and that second goal stacks up with Alessandro Del Piero or Shinji Ono.

Tim Cahill – N/A

It’s hard to fathom that he could come on to a chorus of boos, but such is life in Aussie sport. More troubling then the crowd reception, however, is that a fit Cahill has played less than 30 minutes in two games.

A powerful volley was about all he had time to contribute, but someone has to whisper in Warren Joyce’s ear that the Socceroos need this guy to be fit and firing for November.