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Brett Trevenen

Match Report: Victory 0-6 City

Colakovski celebrates his first A-League goal

Melbourne City have etched their name in the record books after a spine-tingling 6-0 win over rivals Melbourne Victory.

Starting XI
There was just one change to Tuesday’s side that defeated Western Sydney Wanderers with Frenchman Florin Berenguer resuming his place in the starting lineup in place of Naoki Tsubaki. The away side set up in their traditional 4-3-3 with Rostyn Griffiths anchoring the midfield and power forwards Craig Noone and Andrew Nabbout taking up the wide places.

City were on the front foot instantly in the 32nd edition of the Melbourne Derby, gaining plenty of space down the right hand flank occupied by Andrew Nabbout. The Socceroo was proving a monstrous headache for Victory full back Dalibor Markovic, regularly breaking down the right and cutting back inside to generate chances.

It was Nathaniel Atkinson however, driving into the box from the touchline who was brought down by Markovic on 16 minutes earning his side a penalty. Jamie Maclaren stepped up and in a rare moment for the deadly marksman, cannoned his shot into the cross bar and the score remained 0-0.

City’s press was gaining clear rewards as, not to be deterred by the miss, the visitors continued to push for an opener and indeed it was that man Jamie Maclaren who got the final touch from a set piece that was met by Nabbout and turned in for a deserved 1-0 lead.

Indeed that was the scoreline at the main break and no doubt the boys in city blue would have been feeling that they deserved to be further ahead in the game.

Victory looked to establish a slightly more attacking presence early in the second half, however it was a brilliant team goal from Melbourne City that was to break the game open. Some strong keeping from Tom Glover initiated the phase, with the keeper then releasing quickly to Curtis Good who found Andrew Nabbout on the far wing with an utterly sublime long ball. Nabbout was able to skin the navy blue defence and play a crisp ball to the front post for Berenguer who finished beautifully with the deftest of touches.

A colossus in the centre of the park throughout the match, Rostyn Griffiths made it three just four minutes later, getting on the end of a Noone short corner to the back post and thumping it home with a header.

The action was only getting started however and it was Connor Metcalfe at the double with two delightful assists from Maclaren, the first thumped home to the near post whilst the second was squared across for a tap in.

City made a host of changes in the final ten minutes and City fans were able to cap the night off perfectly as City fan favourite Stefan Colakovski finished to the far post in stoppage time, scoring his first goal for his boyhood club.

The result marks the clubs biggest ever win and the largest win in Melbourne Derby history, and provides a huge three points as Kisnorbo’s men move up into 4th on the A League table.

The games keep on coming as Melbourne City plays host to Macarthur FC at AAMI Park on Friday March 12 at 7.05pm. Tickets on sale now from Ticketek!


City v Macarthur

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