Two late goals has seen Melbourne City fall to Perth Glory at nib Stadium on Saturday night as City failed to bounce back from last week’s loss to Sydney.
A promising opening 60 minutes saw the visitors in complete control of the game as Daniel Arzani’s opener on the stroke of half time gave City a deserved lead.
However a red card to Bart Schenkeveld changed the complexion of the game as Neil Kilkenny and Adam Taggart struck late to give the hosts the three points.
Starting XI
The two-week turnaround saw a number of changes to the City squad for the clash with Nathaniel Atkinson, Nick Fitzgerald and new signing Oliver Bozanic make their way into the starting side while 17-year-old Anthony Lesiotis picked up a spot on the bench.
Bruno Fornaroli maintained his position on the bench as Manny Muscat and Osama Malik missed the final squad with illness and injury respectively.
? Tonight's line-up is IN. A few changes, some familiar faces return to the XI, and a first start for Oliver Bozanic in City colours!
#PERvMCY pic.twitter.com/aHkClZvJm5— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) February 24, 2018
What happened?
With Perth desperate to get back on the winner’s list, the hosts came out of the blocks early, looking to start on the front foot.
The first chance came for the Glory in the second minute as Andy Keogh headed into the chest of Dean Bouzanis, sparking Warren Joyce’s to tighten things up at the back and keep possession in their forward half.
City did so, taking control of the match and gaining the lion-share of possession, however chances were few and far between for both sides in the contest.
The visitors sent out their first warning signal after 39 minutes, as a glancing header from Dario Vidosic at the front post found an un-marked Michael Jakobsen on the back post. The header came as a surprise to the captain who put his effort from yards out over the bar.
It was no surprise though that the mercurial Arzani would spark the game into action before the stroke of half time as the 19-year-old chased down a ball on the left, drove into the penalty area to beat Dino Djulbic, curling his effort into the top corner to break the deadlock.
City began the second stanza on the front foot as Arzani and Fitzgerald looked promising on opposing wings. It was the Glory though that would wrestle their grip on the match and after two half chances, the game changed to the visitors favour.
Bart Schenkeveld’s late challenge on Joe Mills saw the defender go into the book for the second time, seeing referee Shaun Evans send off the Dutchman and in turn, ensuring he would miss next week’s Melbourne Derby.
The Glory continued their pressure and City looked to have played out danger well until the 85th minute when the hosts restored parity. A quick free-kick caught City off guard as Delbridge’s initial clearance fell into the path of Neil Kilkenny who made no mistake with his finish.
An incredible seven minutes of added time left plenty for both sides to find a winner and although City had two chances through Bruno Fornaroli to find a winner, it would be Perth who would secure all three points on the last play of the game as a counter attack from a City attacking corner saw Adam Taggart secure the unlikeliest of wins for the hosts.
What’s next?
City will need to bounce back fast with the massive decider Melbourne Derby up next at AAMI Park this Friday night. Get your ticket for the match below.
