A nine-man Adelaide faced adversity and took home a deserved three points with a George Blackwood winner.

Baba Diawara opened the scoring for the Reds and Mark Milligan excellently levelled but it wasn’t enough for the hosts.

A galactic performance by Man of the Match, Paul Izzo was the main stand-out of the game, as the goalkeeper protected a slender lead during seven minutes of added time.

Melbourne Victory

Lawrence Thomas (GK) - 6

No attempt to save the first goal, but it was poor defending in front of him. Nice diving save to deny Diawara in the 30th minute. Couldn’t stop the neat work of Blackwood’s finish.

Jason Geria - 4

Failed to pick-up Ryan Kitto and Ben Garuccio down the wing. Did make some surging runs of his own.

Thomas Deng -3

Left Adelaide too open and free.

Rhys Williams - 6

Was unconvincing early and was too open. Made a great run to slice through Adelaide’s midfield to win a set-piece.

Wasn’t able to keep up with Nikola Mileusnic’s speed. Was thrust forward late in the match and couldn’t capitalise.

Stefan Nigro - 6

Defended well at times on Mileusnic but the Reds’ winger was too good on this occasion.

 

Carl Valeri - 5.5

Worked hard in midfield, couldn’t get a powerful ball through.

Mark Milligan - 7            

The Socceroo returned and his poor making on Diawara ultimately saw his side concede.

Scored the equaliser in the 56th minute with one of the best goals of the season, flicked the ball and shot it sublimely past Paul Izzo.

Kosta Barbarouses - 5.5

Poor passing and missed the mark. Delivered a brilliant cross but Besart Berisha couldn’t capitalise on a great ball.

Got more involved in the second-half, but didn’t make an impact to assist the score-line.

James Troisi - 4.5

Had some good ideas, but was thwarted by Isaias. Improved following the equaliser.

Leroy George - 6.5

Made runs and you could see he was trying hard. Looked frustrated.

Stepped up in the second with a beautifully-weighted cross to assist Milligan and made breakthroughs.

Besart Berisha - 2

Didn’t cause any threat and looked very static and missed a crucial penalty.

SUBS

Mattias Sanchez - 5

Tried some acrobatics late in the match but was off the mark.

Jai Ingham – N/A

Didn’t do enough to warrant a fair rating.

Leigh Broxham – N/A

Didn’t do enough to warrant a fair rating.

 

Adelaide United

Paul Izzo (GK) - 10

Made a full-stretch, terrific save of Troisi’s deflected shot. Continued his fabulous form this season with a sensational save to deny Berisha’s spot-kick.

Couldn’t do much about Milligan’s rocketed leveller. Made a chilling save to deny Williams in injury time. Overall extraordinary and played a massive part in winning the match.

Ryan Strain - 7.5

Very controlled and composed in his position, a bright star for the future of the club.

Jordan Elsey - 8

Fantastic defensively and it was one of his best games. Was at the end of most clearances in the first-half and kept composed in the area. Looked very confident at the back.

Ersam Gulum - 8.5

Nodded a chance early in the match after great positioning and worked well at the back with Elsey. Wonderful defending and tracking to deny a Barbarouses cross.

Ben Garuccio - 6

Good runs down the wing and created chances with Adlung and Kitto. Could have been quicker to decide. Unintentional hand-ball to concede penalty but it didn’t damper his game at the time.

Lovely cross in the second-half for Mileusnic. Was sent-off for what the referee called time-wasting for a throw-in.

Nathan Konstandopoulos - 6.5

Great endurance from the young star, always a pacey threat.

Isaias - 9.5

Outstanding to dictate tempo of the game and was all over the park, covering every piece of grass to defend and attack. Bravo Senor!

Daniel Adlung – 6.5

Silky in midfield as per usual and brilliant on the ball, at the forefront of attack.

Didn’t make too much of an impact in the second-half and was then sent-off with a second yellow after a poor sliding tackle decision.

Nikola Mileusnic - 8.5

Looked very dangerous with his pace down the wing, he was very lively and his passing was at its best.

Had a chance in front of goal to head the ball, but lacked the driving force. Decent chance to beat Williams but the angle was difficult to beat Thomas.

Superb skill from the wing to tee-up Blackwood for the goal. He really ran riot.

Baba Diawara - 7.5

Great connection to header the ball off the post and into the back of the net to deservedly open the scoring. A sweet volley in the 30th minute was a great chance.

Ryan Kitto - 7

Beautiful passing and opened Victory up. Great corner assist for Diawara.

SUBS

George Blackwood - 7.5

Great release to Mileusnic, for a chance. Connected well off of Mileusnic to finish home.

Michael Marrone - N/A

Didn’t do enough to warrant a fair rating. Is welcomed back and is sure to bounce-back next week.

Mark Ochieng - N/A

Didn’t do enough to warrant a fair rating.