From coaching rows to talking point tweets, we reveal what the buzz was in round ten of the A-League.
THEY SAID IT
"I went over to shake hands with the opposition coach or coaches and they weren't around .. you go and still respect the opposition coach." - Western United coach Mark Rudan wasn't impressed by being snubbed by Brisbane counterpart Robbie Fowler following the Roar's 2-0 defeat.
MAN OF THE ROUND
Melbourne City attacker Javier Cabrera scored a goal and set up another in their 4-0 rout of Newcastle, consolidating second spot.
BEAT THAT
Western United star Besart Berisha sunk the boot into former club Brisbane with an exquisite half-volley past a flat-footed Jamie Young in their 2-0 victory over the Roar.
STAT ATTACK
A total 10 players were booked, including red-carded Melbourne Victory import Kristijan Dobras, in their spiteful, scoreless draw with Wellington at AAMI Park.
TALKING POINT
Ladder leaders Sydney FC will be sweating on the scans for star midfielder Milos Ninkovic, who limped off with a calf injury in their routine 1-0 win over Central Coast. It's a big week for the Serbian, who is set to announce whether he'll take up a long-term deal with newcomers Macarthur FC by this week.
UNDER PRESSURE
The spotlight continues to burn on Western Sydney coach Markus Babbel, whose team dropped out of the top six for the first time this season following their limp 2-0 defeat to Perth. Their next two games are against third-placed Western United and fourth-placed Adelaide.
WHAT'S NEXT
All eyes will descend upon Melbourne Rectangular Stadium to see whether the derby can ignite Victory's dispiriting run against high-flying City. In other games, Western Sydney host Western United, Wellington are at home against Sydney FC, Newcastle go on the road against Perth, and Central Coast face Adelaide in Gosford.
Most Tweeted moments
1. Kristijan Dobras is given a red card #MVCvWEL
Did the ref make the right call?
— SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) December 14, 2019
WATCH: Victory down to 10 men after Dobras sent-off #MVCvWEL https://t.co/hRQrOD0vcL
The thing about that Dobraš red, irrespective of whether a straight red or not, just a poor recognition of situation. On a yellow - a cheap one, mind - going in like that meant he was off anyway after Devlin throws himself in. Go with your chest, take the hit. Silly.#MVCvWEL
— Bad Sokkah Opinions (@xtweetsper90) December 14, 2019
Regardless of harsh or not, Dobras should never have attempted that especially having already being booked.#MVCvWEL
— Nick D'Urbano (@NickDurbano_) December 14, 2019
Dobras sent off!
— The Football Sack (@TheFootballSack) December 14, 2019
As he was about to be substituted.
You hate to see it.#MVCvWEL
2. A heated game results in a draw with both teams goalless #MVCvWEL
🙌 Unbeaten in 5⃣ as it ends goalless at AAMI Park.#StandUpWithYourNix #ERereTeKeo#MVCvWEL ⚪️ (0-0) 💛 pic.twitter.com/5kxyVIG9S1
— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) December 14, 2019
#MVCvWEL Kurz looked happy to draw at home to me he doesn’t ambition to be victory Manager with that mindset
— ALeagueaddict (@a_leagueaddict) December 14, 2019
Have to say that's @WgtnPhoenixFC best performance of the season, deserved a win really but fair play to Victory scrapping for a draw #MVCvWEL
— Riccardo Ball (@rikdog72) December 14, 2019
#MVCvWEL Disappointed not to get the win, but would have taken a draw at the beginning of the game - Well done @WgtnPhoenixFC
— Charlie Campbell (@charliecPIM) January 20, 2019
3. Babarouses scores just five minutes in to give Sydney FC the lead #SYDvCCM
GOAL SYDNEY!! From the free kick Rhyan Grant with the easy assist to Kosta Barbarouses #SYDvCCM
— The Football Sack (@TheFootballSack) December 14, 2019
Five minutes in and @SydneyFC are already on the board.
— FOX Sports Football (@FOXFOOTBALL) December 14, 2019
📺 Watch the #ALeague live on Fox Sports 505 NOW! pic.twitter.com/EV53upE5Ly
That was such an effortless goal for Sydney. #SYDvCCM
— The Football Sack (@TheFootballSack) December 14, 2019
That’s a soft goal. Worrying signs. #SYDvCCM
— Aristidis Sialepis (@Sialepis69) December 14, 2019
4. Cabrera makes it three goals to none after blasting it home #NEWvMCY
Javier Cabrera gives Glen Moss no chance! 🚀 🚀 🚀 #NEWvMCY
— Melbourne City FC 🏙️ (@MelbourneCity) December 15, 2019
📹 @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/tUjMFSQXyM
⚽️ GOAL, @NewcastleJetsFC 0-3 @MelbourneCity (47 mins)
— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) December 15, 2019
ANOTHER Uruguayan goalscorer, this time it's Marcelo Cabrera who rifles it into the top corner 🔥#NEWvMCY #ALeague pic.twitter.com/OAkyNrsUAB
Jesus! Cabrera with an absolute rocket! 🚀 #NEWvMCY pic.twitter.com/vBFYs8du5Q
— Talking City (@TalkingCityFC) December 15, 2019
Get out of town Cabrera 😱 #NEWvMCY
— Osama 👑 (@ozzieh10) December 15, 2019
5. Besart Berisha doubles Western United's lead #BRIvWUN
And Berisha makes it 2-0 for Western United. Quality.#BRIvWUN
— William Caldwell (@Will_Caldwell10) December 13, 2019
Berisha makes it two for United in added time after being around free in the penalty space #BRIvWUN
— The Football Sack (@TheFootballSack) December 13, 2019
That was wonderfully worked team goal from WU👏
— Ivan Hecimovic (@hecivan70) December 13, 2019
Some of the Roar supporters and even players obviously don't know the offside rule if they think Berisha was offside😁#BRIvWUN
That goal from Western United was red hot.#BRIvWUN
— Luke (@Boycey1105) December 13, 2019
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