Western Sydney Wanderers 

 

Vedran Janjetovic - 7.5

 

Did ever so well to stretch out to his left post to deny McCormack City’s equaliser from the penalty spot. Another last minute muscle tearing save from the City free-kick earned the Wanderers three points

 

Raul Llorente - 5.5

 

Absent in marking Nathaniel Atkinson before his cross came in for the opening goal. Going forward he was man marked by Bruce Kamau tracking back. Bounced back on the half hour mark with a low cross into Riera who controlled and drew level. 

 

Michael Thwaite - 6

 

Distribution was a little on the sour side in the first half, giving away possession on a number of occasions. Atkinson’s low cross for McCormack, straight across the face of goal bypassed him and was turned in by McCormack. 

 

Robbie Cornthwaite - 6

 

Despite Melbourne City’s wasting of precious chances he was lucky Janjetovic came to the rescue, saving McCormack’s penalty after he brought down Scott Jamieson. Calmer in the second half when it came to dealing with pressure direct and in and around the box. 

 

Joshua Risdon - 6

 

As usual Risdon was a major threat going forward tussling with Scott Jamieson to create chances in the first half, most notably for Mark Bridge at the far post who’s shot was blocked by Atkinson. Defensively however he was turned inside out on occasion by Nick Fitzgerald allowing multiple encroachments into the Wanderers box. Substituted after 52 minutes.

Keanu Baccus - 6

The Wanderers best player in the opening minutes as they tried t get a hold of the game, controlling possession and dropping back into the back four to provide cover when needed. Shifted over to right back in the second half when Herd arrived and wasn’t as comfortable. 

Kearyn Baccus - 6.5

Began the game rather poorly receiving a yellow card only seven minutes in. After Riera and Bridge’s double salvo he picked up his control of the ball and improved his passing, thus lifting the Wanderers heading into the second half. 

Roly Bonevacia - 7

Spectacular distribution and his trickery mesmerised the City midfield’s big men in Malik and Jakobsen. The force and lack of pac ein midfield allowed him to thrive. 

Alvaro Cejudo - N/A

Pulled up sharply with a calf problem after only eight minutes. Subbed off for Jumpei Kusukami and therefore doesn’t receive a rating. 

Mark Bridge - 6.5

Struggled to make a mark in the opening quarter of an hour but sprung the home side into life with the goal to put them 2-1 ahead only 76 seconds after Riera’s equaliser. 

Oriol Riera - 8

Magnifico! The Spaniard caused dozens of problems for La Rocca and Schenkeveld as he bounced back, scoring his first goal in six weeks to take this tally to five as well as adding an assist for Mark Bridge in the space of two minutes. When Riera has his eyes on the prize, the Wanderers can certainly claim it. 

SUBS

Jumpei Kusukami - 7

Injected a bit of life into the contest when he was subbed on for Alvaro Cejudo early, hitting the post from an acute angle in the first half and constantly threatening, creating chances down the right. 

Chris Herd - 5

Returned to the action for the first time since October, he replaced Josh Risdon on the 52nd minute  in midfield.

Melbourne City 

Dean Bouzanis - 6

A few instances of miscommunication with his defenders when Kusukami slammed the post in the first half. Distribution from goal kicks was low and picked off by Wanderers players. 

Nathaniel Atkinson - 6

An exquisite low drive across the face of goal to pick up McCormack at the back post to open the back post. Things turned sour when he got drawn into the loose ball drama on the edge of the box he left Mark Bridge free to slide in the Wanderers second. 

Bart Schenkeveld - 6

Both central defenders were at fault for static ball watching for the Wanderers goals. Despite that Schenkeveld’s distribution was competent whilst attempting to calm down the City team and bring them nuder control when they went down. 

Iacapo La Rocca - 5

Standing still with Oriol Riera being able to turn and shoot for the Wanderers equaliser. Didn’t put any pressure on the Spaniard and allowed him to wiggle free to set up Bridge for the second.

Scott Jamieson - 6

Won City their penalty in the 40th minute although Ross McCormack couldn’t convert. The Wanderers managed to create a few chances coming past Jamieson although the goals all came on the opposite side, he was saved by the Wanderers profligacy. 

Michael Jakobsen - 5

Melbourne City are better off with Michael Jakobsen in central defence. If there was one thing Michael Valkanis got right, it was that. The former City assistant constantly lauded the impact of “one of the best defenders in the league.” In midfield he struggled against the Baccus Brothers pressing. 

Osama Malik - 5

Malik managed a better game in midfield than Jakobsen but neither were flash. Malik managed better control of his passing but still couldn’t stifle the Wanderers midfield. 

Luke Brattan - 5.5

The dynamism that City needed in midfield but still City struggled using Brattan as their creative outlet through the centre of the park. In this instance they dearly missed a player like Stefan Mauk. Brattan still caused some danger for the Wanderers defence with his close control.

Nick Fitzgerald - 6.5

Deployed out on the left Fitzgerald had a wonderful game up against Josh Risdon, giving the Socceroo a run for his money on the right. A secondary assist for the games opener, spreading wide for Atkinson’s cross. Again he was involved in the build up to winning City’s penalty. 

Bruce Kamau - 4.5

Rather anonymous in the first half and was struggling to have an impact on the match. Seems low on confidence, not taking on players like he used to at the beginning of the season. 

Ross McCormack - 6.5

Great positioning on the back post to open the scoring, adjusting his body to ensure the ball didn’t sky over the cross bar. Failed to convert form the spot to bring the scores level before half-time. Scuppered yet another clear cut chance in the second half hesitating in the box before his shot was blocked. Should’ve brought the game back to the Wanderers. 

SUBS

Daniel Arzani - 6

Replaced Ross McCormack with twenty minutes remaining and was straight into the action with two shots on goal. Melbourne City would have been better off starting the creative Arzani in midfield.