In one of the most crucial results in the race to the Premier’s Plate this season, Melbourne City recorded a monumental 3-2 defeat over the Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park on Sunday Night.
Goals from Connor Metcalfe, Scott Jamieson and Scott Galloway ensured City came away with all three points in an action-packed fixture at home.
Starting XI
Nuno Reis and Adrian Luna returned to the starting line up in place of Rostyn Griffiths and Florin Berenguer, whilst City winger Andrew Nabbout returned to the team via the bench after missing last week with a groin niggle.
2️⃣ changes from our mid-week win, returning to the XI is Nuno Reis and Adrian Luna.
Andrew Nabbout will return from his groin niggle via the bench, while Daniel Georgievski is also amongst the subs and could make his first City appearance.#CmonCity | #MCYvBRI | #ALeague pic.twitter.com/OsDujL94xX
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) May 9, 2021
What happened?
On a gorgeous day for football City started brightly and after a hat-trick of early chances it was Connor Metcalfe who opened the scoring 14th minute following a sublime pass from Craig Noone. The Olyroo struck his first-time shot with perfection, beating Brisbane keeper Jamie Young at the far post and give Melbourne the early advantage.
Connor sure does love scoring against Brisbane!#CmonCity | #MCYvBRI | #ALeague pic.twitter.com/HXoCT4PiMU
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) May 9, 2021
Just minutes later Metcalfe turned provider following a long Nuno Reis pass that dropped off the contest, Metcalfe slicing through a Roar defence and Jamieson’s square ball deflecting off the defence and into the net for the home sides second.
Jamo played a big part in our second of the night.
? @FOXFOOTBALL#CmonCity | #MCYvBRI | #ALeague pic.twitter.com/RIvebHXLkm
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) May 9, 2021
Trailing 2-0 and surving a flurry of City chances, Brisbane turned the score line around when Joey Champness struck against the run of play on 28 minutes. Ten minutes late the game was level after Macaulay Gillesphey headed home from a corner.
2-2 at the half seemed difficult to comprehend from the home side’s viewpoint, who had dominated the game with a wealth of chances. Yet as this City team has displayed on numerous occasions during the season, they are not one to roll over and following an flurry of chances early in the second half, it was the league leaders that seized the initiative with a terrific individual goal.
Full back Scott Galloway continued his recent run of form with a scintillating run from almost halfway that beat his man and then split another two. After his initial cross was blocked and deflected back into his path, Galloway pulled the trigger and squeezed home from the tightest of margins to restore City’s lead.
Scott Galloway gives us the lead with this absolute rocket of a strike! ?
? @FOXFOOTBALL#CmonCity | #MCYvBRI | #ALeague pic.twitter.com/nwzEjGQv1u
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) May 9, 2021
Whilst Brisbane shifted into a more attacking mindset to chase an equaliser, it was City that looked the more likely to add another to their tally in the final 20 minutes but weren’t able to capitalise on their chances.
Aiden O’Neill was outstanding in the holding midfield role, playing his best game for the Club. He was extremely unlucky not to have scored after hitting both the crossbar and post witch two different chances. His performance earned him man of the match honours as City claimed an invaluable three points in the race for the Premier’s Plate.
It was a strong shift in midfield tonight from @aidenoneill98!
He's our @BulkNutrients Player of the Match ?#CmonCity | #MCYvBRI | #ALeague pic.twitter.com/py1jtmbeZV
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) May 9, 2021
What’s next?
City’s homestand continues on Thursday night when they face Adelaide United at AAMI Park, kick off at 7.05pm. Tickets on sale now!
