The game was given an almost immediate twist when Mitch Austin was shown a second yellow card and sent off in the 25th minute by referee Peter Green, putting Victory on the back foot after a solid opening to the encounter.

The red card paved the way for Wanderers to find an opener through Oriel Riera’s 32nd minute header and the Spaniard had the chance to double the lead but failed to convert a penalty before half-time – a strike which followed a near three-minute delay due to VAR deliberations.

Victory goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas, who saved the penalty, made a second big stop after half-time to keep his side in contention and that advantage was taken when Thomas Deng nodded home his first A-League goal to level the clash.

Melbourne Victory

Lawrence Thomas (GK) – 8

Came up big for the Victory in a chaotic few minutes at the end of the first half with a penalty save to keep Melbourne in the contest and did it again after half-time with a save on Mark Bridge. Victory’s wouldn’t have got the point if not for Thomas.

Jason Geria – 6

Gets into those pockets on the right wing to create an extra number in attack and does it often. Geria was okay but lost his battle with Cejudo and Llorente on the flank.

Rhys Williams – 7

Always there to mop up in defence and never looked desperate. Williams plays a killer ball into midfield, but also gave away the penalty.

Thomas Deng – 8

Held his ground against a trio of tricky Spaniards raiding the final third. Didn’t seem overwhelmed and is a no-fuss defender; a hallmark of his young career so far. Most importantly, he scored the equalising header for his first A-League goal.

Stefan Nigro – 5

Nigro filled in at left-back and did a perfectly average job. He didn’t make many mistakes, he didn’t set the game alight at any point and nobody is complaining.

Carl Valeri (C) – 6

Held his ground in midfield and made some key challenges when the Wanderers were looking to take the lead. Valeri was in charge of the back five which – although the slackened a little in the final minutes – kept the Wanderers out to hold onto a point.

Mark Milligan – 7

Marauds the midfield with authority and was in an indirect battle with Bonevacia for the right to be the best box-to-box midfielder on the field. Holds the ball very well and keeps the side tight in midfield.

Matías Sanchez – 7

Complements Milligan well in the box-to-box role. He isn’t as attacking as James Troisi but is a great passer, moves into good positions and has the added benefit of a defensive side. The Victory looked good with him in the midfield three.

Jai Ingham – 6

Was the more threatening of the two Victory wingers and looked free down the right side, as if there was a weight taken off his shoulders. Made runs in the box and to the byline and thrived off being fed by Sanchez and George.

Mitch Austin – 4

Didn’t really do much wrong when on the field except for two minor – but warranted cautions. The first came very early in the game for a careless tackle from behind and the second for impeding a free-kick in the 25th minute.

Leroy George – 7

Fired away the first proper chance of the game and his set pieces were another focal point to the Victory attacking game; he set up Deng’s equaliser. George is Melbourne’s hardest worker around the final third and played as an all-purpose forward.

SUBS

Kenny Athiu – 5

Came on in the 72nd minute. King Kenny lacked a yard having not played since the FFA Cup and only just started training during the week after a toe injury. He’ll be better with more games.

Josh Hope – N/A

Wasn’t on the field long enough.

Western Sydney Wanderers

Vedran Janjetovic (GK) – 5

Made a good early save on Leroy George’s break but really had nothing to do all night.

Brendan Hamill – 6

Hamill looked good at right-back and felt comfortable moving forward and getting as high as the final third. With respect, his opponents down his flank in the game (Nigro, Austin) are lesser opponents than the last time he played right-back against the Victory and faced Fahid Ben Khalfallah.     

                                                                                          

Jonathan Aspropotamitis – 5

Did nothing wrong in defence and had a sound game overall. Needs to work on controlling the ball quicker; it’ll help him in close quarters in the future.

Robbie Cornthwaite (C) – 6

The captain had a fine game in defence without being outstanding. He’ll be disappointed to have conceded from a set piece given his towering height.

Raul Llorente – 8

Already one of the A-League’s best running full-backs and consistently got himself into good positions both in attack and defence. Helped in the goal and was lively in attacking the space.

Kearyn Baccus – 6

Had tendencies to be sloppy at times but kept up with the pace of the game and didn’t disrupt flow of the game when he was on the ball. If he tightens his technique he’ll be able to fire off passes even quicker, but had a good night.

Roly Bonevacia – 8

He eased into his holding midfield role to be one of the best on the field. The box-to-box role suits him and he held up his end of the bargain when tracking into defence to add numbers. His quality in the around the final third is known. The Dutchman hit the post with a hammer shot on an angle in the second half.

Mark Bridge – 7

Did well in the role of playmaker and knows how to make a sharp pass. The attacking midfield three worked well together and his chemistry with Jumpei and Cejudo was seamless.

Jumpei Kusukami – 8

Enjoyed feeding Llorente into the right channel and became a prominent danger as the game wore on. His zippy runs were more noticeable as players around him fatigued and could’ve won the game on several occasions late in the match.

Álvaro Cejudo – 7

Had flashes of a good passing and attacking runs to the box in the first half and, like Kusukami, did better late in the first half and into the second. Was taken off in the 68th minute with an apparent wrist problem.

Oriol Riera – 7

Scored his fourth goal of the season on the tick of the 32nd minute and could’ve sealed the game if he scored the penalty. His runs into the box keep defenders on their toes.

SUBS

Brendan Santalab – 5

Had enough time on the field but didn’t get on the end of many passes.

Jaushua Sotirio – N/A

Wasn’t on the field long enough.