Melbourne City FC have leapt into 2nd on the A-League ladder after its fourth consecutive win, defeating Macarthur FC 3-0 at AAMI Park on Friday evening.
City did its work early, with a brace inside 3 minutes to Jamie Maclaren and a Craig Noone goal 10 minutes later putting the home side in the drivers seat after 35 minutes – a position it would not deviate from for the remainder of the game.
Starting XI
With only Adrian Luna and Aiden O’Neill unavailable through injury and on the back of an 0-6 drubbing of Melbourne Victory, gaffer Patrick Kisnorbo had the luxury of selecting an unchanged XI for the inaugural clash against Macarthur.
The budding partnership of Nuno Reis and Curtis Good retained their places in the centre of defence whilst skipper Scott Jamieson and young gun Nathaniel Atkinson took up the wide roles.
If it ain’t broke… 🤷🏽♂️
PK sticks with an unchanged lineup tonight for our inaugural clash with Macarthur. 💪#CmonCity #MCYvMAC pic.twitter.com/LmDRcxxRH2
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) March 12, 2021
What happened?
City fans didn’t need to wait long at all to see if the team was in the mood to continue last week’s party, with Andrew Nabbout once again sharp from the outset and providing a solid chance for Florin Berenguer just minutes into the encounter.
City continued to press and it was Nabbout’s skilful piece of trickery that played Atkinson in behind on the 23rd minute, his pinpoint cross met by the golden boot leading Jamie Maclaren for the opener.
2️⃣ goals in 3️⃣ minutes.
There's only one Jamie Maclaren.
📹 @FOXFOOTBALL #CmonCity #MCYvMAC #ALeague pic.twitter.com/y7JKKp0sFN
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) March 12, 2021
Before fans had even had a chance to return to their seats the home side had the ball in the net once again with a delightful ball through from Jamieson to Nabbout down the left wing crossed in for Maclaren at the back post. Melbourne’s number nine netted his 10th goal in 10 games this season and continued on an amazing record of 40 goals in 48 games since joining City in March 2019.
2️⃣ first half goals takes Macca into double digits for the season! 💪#CmonCity pic.twitter.com/Kmu5YV7I83
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) March 12, 2021
City weren’t done there however and once again it was Andrew Nabbout with the excellent release for Craig Noone after a midfield turnover, the Englishman driving into the box and sending his defender the wrong way before putting the home side three goals to the good.
Connor wins the ball back 💪
Release from Nabbout 🤯
Finish from Nooney 🔥📹 @FOXFOOTBALL#CmonCity #MCYvMAC pic.twitter.com/J5DoyauvOG
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) March 12, 2021
It was pure attacking football in every sense in the first half and the only negative for the half for the home side and home fans was the half time whistle.
If the first half was a nod to Pep Guardiola, then the second half would have made the likes of Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti weak at the knees with a rock solid defensive display and a lesson in cancelling out the attacking threats of the opposition.
City did have a few half chances to make it four but ultimately, it was a professional second half performance from Kisnorbo’s men as they cruised to another victory.
What’s next?
With a game in hand, City now close the gap to Central Coast Mariners at the top of the table to just 6 points ahead of their clash on Monday 22 March at AAMI Park.
This clash will kick-off at 7.05pm and with City now looking to extend its winning run to five games, why would you want to be anywhere else? Click here to get your tickets now!
