Bouncing back
Your City boys had been on fire, reeling off six wins in as many games until they came up against Western United on Thursday.
Craig Noone’s opener in the 12th minute pointed to more of the same from the in-form City line-up, but two quick second half counter-attacks within five minutes were enough for Western to take the points.
Good to see Nooney picked up right where he left off last match! 😎
📹 @FOXFOOTBALL#CmonCity | #WUNvMCY | #ALeague pic.twitter.com/wEfrfHL3sL
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) April 1, 2021
With 27 shots to nine, on another night it could have easily ended in a 2-3, 2-4 or even 2-5 result to City, but the team in green and black were the more clinical when it mattered.
City won’t have to wait long for an opportunity to return to form, as it travels to Wollongong to take on the Phoenix on Monday night.
Our first meeting with the ‘Nix this season
We’ve had at least one look at every team so far this season bar the Phoenix, but that will change on Monday night.
Having been re-located from the usual home of Wellington, it’s been an up-and-down first half of the season for the now Wollongong-based side.
Our opponents come into this fixture sitting 10th on the table and with four wins to their name so far this season.
Last time out they suffered a ‘home’ loss to Macarthur, expect a fired up Phoenix team come Monday night.
Nooney continuing his form
One of City’s most in-form players – Craig Noone – will be looking to continue to make his presence felt and have a big impact on this fixture.
Nooney is on FIRE tonight! 🔥🔥🔥
📹 @FOXFOOTBALL#CmonCity | #MCYvWSW | #ALeague pic.twitter.com/N5DarHidgI
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) March 26, 2021
Now in his second season at the Club, Noone has managed five goals and four assists to form a deadly front three with Socceroos Jamie Maclaren and Andrew Nabbout.
City’s front three have been the most dangerous in the league since Nabbout’s return from injury, and if all three are up and firing, they will take some serious stopping by the Phoenix defence.
𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐕 𝐖𝐒𝐖
Nabbout ⚽🎯
Maclaren ⚽
Noone ⚽⚽🎯Is this the best front three in the @aleague? 🤔#CmonCity pic.twitter.com/yFpUlZ4BTE
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) March 27, 2021
A chance to jump back to second
We squandered an opportunity to (very briefly) go top of the table on Thursday, but with games in hand on the teams above us, we are still well placed.
A win on Monday would see us jump Adelaide and slot back into second, level on games played but two points clear of the Reds.
That would also allow us to keep pace with ladder leaders Central Coast, as we’d then still have a game in hand and be just two points behind.
Finishing the long weekend on a high note
The Easter long weekend will be finishing the same way it started – with some City football!
We’ll be hoping for a different result than we saw on Thursday, as we look to end the long weekend on a high note.
With no doubt plenty of chocolate consumed and good times had over the weekend, kick back on Monday night and enjoy watching your City boys in action!
