Socceroos striker Jamie Maclaren and Shayon Harrison - on loan from Tottenham Hotspur - alongside Adelaide United loanee Jordy Thomassen: three highly rated debutant strikers were on show tonight, as Melbourne City host Adelaide United at AAMI Stadium.

Cagey, tight game of football with both sides pressing - real estate to create an opening was at a premium. For the first 30 minutes, all debutants looked nervous, adjusting to the pace of the A-League.

Jamie Maclaren saw a decent attempt on goal just swing wide from Paul Izzo right hand-side. Then, for the first time, Nikola Mileusnic broke from the shackles of Scott Jamison with a perfectly weighted cross for Craig Goodwin to header the ball into the net.

Poor goal keeping from Paul Izzo - not clearing his lines - and Jamie Maclaren in the right place created the equaliser, a back heel the ball into the net in the second-half.

Honours shared, 1-1 in a difficult evening of football for both sides. But Adelaide were lucky to come away with a draw, as Melbourne showed they had more depth and williingness to win the game.

MELBOURNE CITY

Eugene Galekovic – 7

Most ever appearances in the A-League for a goalkeeper with 279. Couldn’t do anything about the opening goal from his former club. Solid performance between the sticks.

Harrison Delbridge – 7

Solid in defence, making himself big. Great tackle to deny United a chance. Penetrating run into the final third causing huge problems for United. Should have done better with his header early in the second-half. But a real presence when he’s on and off the ball.

Curtis Good – 7

Just went about his business, held his position well.

Bart Schenkeveld – 7

Good energy and read the play well early on. Solid in defence, held his ground well.

Scott Jamieson – 8

Solid performance in defence, getting the better of Mileusnic. Quality crosses with his left foot. Pressing high well. Always causing Adelaide problems with his energy - overall a good performance

Florin Berenguer – 7

Worked hard in defence. Subbed 55th minute.

Luke Brattan – 7

Brilliant effort on goal, played a key role in City's equaliser and generally worked hard in midfield.

Ritchie de Laet – 7

Decent run early on showed good ball control. Another player working hard when tracking back. Quick feet in the attacking third. Sometimes wasteful in his distribution. Fantastic run into the final third.  Subbed 70th minute.

Lachlan Wales – 7

The NAB young footballer nominee offered strong runs into the box all night. Very lively performance, putting in some promising crosses.

Jamie Maclaren – 7.5

In the Socceroos' return to the A-League he showed fantastic pace. One decent effort on goal, his shot just swung wide in the first-half. 

Pressed really well up front and showed his experience. Rewarded with a goal through sloppy Reds defending but he created the goal opportunity through his pressure. Subbed 83rd minute.

Shayon Harrison – 7

Debut, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

Quick feet, nice ball control, but a sloppy tackle on Mirko Boland. Decent effort on goal in the second half, trying on the volley but just couldn’t get his body over the ball.

Strong and quick feet to move the ball around the park. City have a good signing and will adapt really well with a few games under his belt.

SUBS

Iacopo la Rocca – 5

Gave the ball away in a dangerous position, sloppy attempt to clear his lines. Put into midfield and looked seriously out of position at times. No impact at all.

Dario Vidosic - N/A

Riley McGree – 6

Putting himself about, showed good energy since coming on - a very positive impact.

ADELAIDE UNITED

Paul Izzo – 6

Sloppy distribution on the ball, needs more control in his weighted pass. Guilty for a poor kick out of the ball where he tried a chip, fluffed his effort and it eventally resulted in Jamie Maclaren scoring.

Watching his reactions closely, he almost seemed to have his mind on other things.

Ryan Strain – 7

Started positively with good energy and pace. Brilliant defensive duties.

Jordan Elsey – 7

Looks comfortable in defence, with a good range of passing.

Michael Jakobsen – 7.5

Strong heading in defence. Robust tackling, reading the play perfectly.

Scott Galloway – 7

Showing good pace when pressing forward, but needs to release the ball quicker.

Isaias Sanchez – 7.5

Good control of the tempo, sweeping the ball from left to right. Always hustling and bustling. Had a solid performance again for United in the midfield.

Mirko Boland – 7

Comfortable in possession, commanding presence, distributes the ball well. Couple of sloppy tackles in the final third.

George Blackwood – 7

Moving the ball around nicely. Had a clear chance on goal late in the second-half, found himself off balance. Subbed 84th minute.

Craig Goodwin – 7

Solid runs causing problems with his pace. Perfect header from Nikola Mileusnic's cross. Always trying to create openings, crafting the opening goal in the 43rd minute.

Nikola Mileusnic – 6.5

Poor control of the ball when attacking. The first time he got away from Jamieson's dominance, he produced the perfect cross for Craig Goodwin. Subbed in the 60th minute.

Jordy Thomassen – 6.0

Debut, on loan from Dutch club De Graafschap. Nervous start for the Dutchman and a tame shot on goal. Always looking to link up with teammates, but struggled to find the pace of the game.

SUBS

Ryan Kitto – 6

On for Nikola Milesunic. No impact.

Nathan Konstandopoulos - N/