Melbourne City FC have made it nine wins on the trot as they defeated Melbourne Victory 0-4 at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It was a commanding win for the visitors who brought themselves within one point of a historic second premiers place and fifth piece of silverware since their inception.
Emily van Egmond opened the scoring for City with a curler into the top right corner before Claire Emslie doubled the visitor’s lead with a skilful solo run as she rounded the Victory shot stopper and powered the ball into the back of the net.
A long period of City dominance was capped off by a sublime pass from skipper Steph Catley, playing in Emslie who slotted away her second, and City’s third.
City’s captivating performance was capped off with a powerful cross from Catley that managed to slot between the Victory keeper’s legs and into the path of Kyah Simon, who tapped into an open net.
This result means that a win or draw in next week’s game against Western Sydney will see City lift the Premier’s Plate for the second time in their history.
Team News
Head Coach Rado Vidosic went with a relatively unchanged lineup to the one that took the field against the Jets, the only change coming in the form of Yukari Kinga returning to the midfield, replacing Milicia Mijatovic in the starting side.
Our team is in for this afternoon's #MelbDerby! 🔒 pic.twitter.com/cq7gYJunSj
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) February 16, 2020
What Happened?
From the get-go, Melbourne City dominated possession, displaying their attacking intent on enemy territory.
Emily van Egmond opened the scoring for City as the ball fell to her she sized up the shot and with impressive finesse, curled the ball into the top right corner of the Victory goal – extending her impressive run of form.
Ellie Carpenter showed her dominance down the right flank as she found space in behind the Victory defence with ease throughout the half.
Scottish international Claire Emslie doubled the visitor’s lead with a superb solo run as she rounded the Victory shot stopper and thundered the ball into the back of the net.
The half ended 0-2, with City well in control of the contest.
The second half began as the first half ended, with City having the lion’s share of possession and controlling the tempo of the play.
The home side nearly conceded a third as van Egmond pounced on a defensive error but Casey Dumont was privy to the pressure and made a strong save.
A long period of City dominance was capped off by a pinpoint pass from captain Steph Catley, playing in Claire Emslie who’s first chance was deflected up by the Victory keeper only as far as Emslie herself, who then volleyed home the away side’s third goal.
City’s captivating performance was capped off with a powerful cross from Catley that managed to slot between the Victory keeper’s legs and into the path of Kyah Simon, who tapped into an open net thus completing her brace.
Emslie was cruelly denied her hattrick in the 69th minute by a great stop from the opposing keeper, following a peach of a through-ball from Ally Watt.
What’s on Next?
City head to Sydney on Thursday 20 February where they will battle Western Sydney Wanderers at Marconi Stadium, before returning to AAMI Park for their final clash of the regular season in what is set to be a blockbuster double header with the A-League side against Brisbane Roar on Sunday 1 March.
