It was a frenetic first half, with end-to-end action and plenty of fouls which saw the score-line kept to nil-all at the break.

Besart Berisha and Jai Ingham had a few early chances for Victory as well as Adrian Mierzejewski who was superbly denied by Lawrence Thomas.

The second half provided the goals as Ingham was brought down in the box by Josh Brillante, and Berisha opened the scoring for Melbourne.

It was all Sydney following the opener, however, and through the work of Mierzejewski, Bobo scored a brace and David Carney sealed the win.

Melbourne Victory

Lawrence Thomas (GK) - 7

Denied Adrian’s two dangerous chances in the first half, excellent reactions to save the strikes. Conceded three goals in the second half.

Jason Geria - 3

Needed to do better in closing the Sydney attack down. Was sent-off after receiving a second yellow by bringing down Bobo in the box.

Leigh Broxham - 5

Quiet game for the defender, perhaps coming down to being played out of position for most of the match.

Rhys Williams - 7

Made some vital clearances and was very commanding in the air. Was given a yellow card for a brutal foul on Adrian.

Thomas Deng - 5.5

Poor header at the back post that leaded to Adrian’s second chance. Was subbed off in the 67th minute.

Mark Milligan - 6

Decent first half, but seemed to drop off in the second half as Sydney took advantage of lapses of concentration.

Carl Valeri - 6

Created well through the midfield, and also dropped off in the second half.

Kosta Barbarouses – 7.5

No doubt Victory’s best player as he was on top of his game, especially in the early stages. Was on fire and in the zone, finding space and playing in dangerous balls. Didn’t make too much of an impact in the second half.

James Troisi - 6

Had some great ideas in the first half, could have done more for his side.

Jai Ingham - 6.5

Solid work rate and had a chance of his own early in the match. Won a penalty kick for his side.

Besart Berisha - 6.5

Was positioned well and created two chances in the first, but lacked the sting. Tucked away a calm spot-kick to give his side the lead in the 58th minute.

SUBS

James Donachie – N/A

Didn’t do enough to warrant a fair rating.

Christian Theoharous – N/A

Came on too late to warrant a fair rating.

Terry Antonis – N/A

Came on too late to warrant a fair rating.

 

Sydney FC

Andrew Redmayne (GK) - 7.5

Conceded the penalty but made textbook saves throughout the night to keep his side in the game.

Luke Wilkshire – 6.5

Showed experience and was good defensively. Brilliant ball in for Bobo to get on the end off and level.

Jordy Buijs - 5.5

Good positioning to clear danger, should have done better when Victory got through on goal.

Alex Wilkinson - 6

Solid defensively and made vital clearances.

Michael Zullo - 8

Was great on the wing playing in crosses for his teammates in the box. His cross in the first half enabled Mierzejewski to strike his first effort on goal.

 

Josh Brillante – 6.5

Accurate passing and made vital stops in the middle of the park. Also created chances and delivered balls into the area. Had a few heavy touches and made a poor tackle on Ingham from behind to give away a penalty.

Brandon O’Neill - 7

Did well in the first half, but slacked off a bit in the second period and didn’t mark his man in the danger area. Did string some good passes together and kept possession.

Adrian Mierzejewski - 9.5

Superb speed and awareness. Had great vision to deliver a perfectly-weighted ball for one of Zullo’s crosses in the first half. Venomous volleyed effort was the best chance of the first 45 minutes.

Fantastic work on the ball to create the opportunity for the equaliser and slipped in a nice ball for Bobo that led to the penalty. Assisted Carney for the third goal.

Alex Brosque – 5.5

The Captain was fairly quiet throughout the game and was subbed off in the second half.

Milos Ninkovic - 6

Was fairly quiet during the match. Nice, accurate pass to Adrian to spark attack. Seemed to struggle after going down in the first half.

Bobo - 8.5

Chance in second half was denied by Thomas. Excellent header to make it 1-1.

Really on top of his game in front of goal, placing beautifully from the spot. On the road to the Golden Boot.

SUBS

David Carney - 7.5

Almost immediate impact off the bench, ultimately sealing the three points with a goal to his name.

Paulo Retre – N/A

Came on too late to warrant a fair rating.

Charles Lokolingoy – N/A

Came on too late to warrant a fair rating.