Since their defeat to the Central Coast Mariners five weeks ago Sydney FC had won four on the bounce and only conceded two goals during the run.
Melbourne City have had a bit of a stop start run so far this year and with changes on the field and off, have done well to sit third with two wins and two losses over the same period.
Sydney FC lined up in their familiar 4-2-3-1 with Milos Ninkovic back on the bench as coach Graham Arnold named an unchanged side from the Demolition Derby of last week.
Melbourne City on the other hand lined up 4-3-3 and the only change was impressive youngster Nathaniel Atkinson moving to the bench for Manny Muscat to return to the starting XI.
Check out our player ratings below and find out how it all unfolded in the Sky Blues 3-1 win at Allianz.
Sydney FC
Andrew Redmayne – 6.5
Only thing that stopped City going ahead in the 15th min with a strong arm denying McCormack. Beaten by a first time Brattan strike and punched plenty of balls throughout.
Luke Wilkshire – 7
Some really smart balls into the box whether they be first time, measured, to the front post or deep to the back. Kept the City defence guessing before being substituted late.
Jordy Buijs – 7.5
Early yellow card for a needless foul near half-way. Won the penalty for Bobo to convert and a nuisance for both the opposition front and back men.
Alex Wilkinson – 7
Showed why he’s leading the league in so many defensive stats. Even got forward late and it almost cost him after falling awkwardly. Overall a solid showing.
Michael Zullo – 6.5
Like many of his team-mates took a few wrong options in the first half and gave the ball away too often. On the receiving end of a stray elbow which floored him.
Josh Brillante – 7.5
Thrust many a pass forward and intercepted a lot of City’s attempts to do the same. Timing wasn’t in gear but still managed to have a big influence on the midfield and the result.
Brandon O’Neill – 6.5
Took a while to settle and was found out of position a few times as City stretched Sydney’s back six.
Adrian Mierzejewski – 7
Really off first half, gave the ball away on far too many occasions. Made up for it though with his third goal in two weeks and almost a carbon copy of last week’s effort. Dead-ball delivery has certainly added to this Sydney FC team in a hugely positive way.
Alex Brosque – 7.5
Contained well by Malik and Jakobsen but he still closed down the City defence all night. Went from winning his team a free-kick in his defensive box to scoring a peach of a goal with the last kick of the game in light-speed.
David Carney – 6
Fairly quiet night and made way for Milos Ninkovic in the 60th min.
Bobo – 7
Not many touches but a professional job from the spot to put the Sky Blues in front. Some clever link play from the number nine. Should have buried the game past Bouzanis in the 82nd min but was denied by the City gloveman. Came off for Matt Simon late in the game.
SUBS
Milos Ninkovic – 6
Given half an hour in his first minutes since the FFA Cup action. Tested his calf out well after being on the receiving end of a few knocks. Some nice touches.
Sebastian Ryall – 6
Came on to cover the right for Wilkshire with about 10mins on the clock.
Matt Simon – 6
Came on in what is known as “Simon Time” amongst Sydney FC fans. Managed to give away a foul, flick a ball on with his head, and upset City Defender Bart Schenkeveld enough that he wouldn’t shake his hand at the end. Classic Matt Simon.
Melbourne City
Dean Bouzanis – 7
Had next to nothing to do until first half stoppage time and even then, beaten by two dead balls in the shape of a Mierzejewski special and a Bobo penalty. Kept a 10-man City in the game by denying Bobo one-on-one late in the game.
Manny Muscat – 5.5
Footballs a tough game. The victim of some naughty behavior from Bobo which left him on the ground, before a deliberate elbow to Michael Zullo’s temple meant he saw Red.
Bart Schenkeveld – 6
Hard-nosed performance although, you never like to see players feign injury and try and get other players booked. Karma seemed to bite him, with a yellow card quickly followed by a foul to give away the penalty leading to Sydney’s second goal. Tough competitor but no need to be a bad sport.
Iacopo La Rocca – 5.5
Gave the foul away that handed Sydney their chance to level the scores. A chance that Mierzejewski took with two hands, or rather, a left boot. Later almost allowed Brosque in with a poor touch.
Scott Jamieson – 6.5
Won plenty of fouls down the left and probably one of City’s better players as he tried to deliver plenty of quality into and around the box.
Luke Brattan – 7.5
Always steps up in the big games and finished with pure determination for the opening goal with a first time hit. He was in everything for City, controlled the temp when in possession and closed down well both on the right and centrally.
Osama Malik – 6.5
Created something from nothing for a McCormack chance and did a good job of closing the space for Sydney to operate in which led to plenty of turnovers for his team.
Michael Jakobsen – 6.5
Absolutely punched it into the box to claim the assist on Luke Brattan’s opener. Helped Osama Malik shut down Sydney’s forays into their half.
Stefan Mauk – 6
Had a good chance in the first half after a delivery from the right but fluffed his lines. A lot of promise from him but lacks consistency. 67th min substitute
Nick Fitzgerald – 6.5
Struggled to get into the game despite a few signature runs. Subbed after 85mins for Budzinski.
Ross McCormack – 5.5
Should have had the opening goal of the match when one on one with Redmayne but couldn’t convert. Injured in the 28th min and subbed off. Worrying signs ahead of the Derby.
SUBS
Nathaniel Atkinson – 6
Replaced McCormack and deployed up front in his place. Didn’t have much to do until Muscat’s Red and he moved to Right-Back for the remainder where he had more touches but didn’t back up last weeks performance with nearly as much fanfare.
Daniel Arzani – 6.5
Replaced Stefan Mauk and given some decent time to have an influence. Looked confident on the ball and might be enough to get him more game time in coming weeks.
Marcin Budzinski – N/A
An 85th minute. The City Marquee has really struggled for game time since arriving in Australia. Will be interesting to see if Warren Joyce holds onto him in January if a better option presents itself to the City Group.
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