Melbourne Heart lost their first home game of the season 4-1 to Adelaide United at Epping Stadium, continuing a poor run of results since their derby loss three weeks ago.
A brace for Nikola Milesunic was complemented by goals from Jacob Melling and Jordan O’Doherty, as Adelaide outplayed their hosts.
Heart managed a late consolation through Andrew Cartanos but it was too little too late as they were comprehensively beaten on the day.
Adelaide United kicked into gear straight away, passing the ball around confidently and pushing Heart deep into their own half.
From an early corner, the clearance found its way to Melling who was waiting outside the box, and he unleashed a 30 yard drive into the back of the net.
His shot was deflected on the way through, enough to wrong foot Heart keeper Marko Stevanja and slip past him.
A great run through midfield by Melling almost saw Adelaide grab a second soon after, as he played in Ryan Kitto who in turn whipped in a cross for Anthony Costa, but the striker could only shoot straight at Stevanja.
Adelaide did double their lead in the 22nd minute as Milesunic tapped in a cross from Dion Kirk which had evaded the Heart defence.
Kitto and Melling were looking impressive for Adelaide, and it was Kitto who almost created a third goal, as he crossed in for Costa who skewed his shot wide.
Heart were limited to shots from range by now, and they failed to adequately test John Hall in goal.
The closest they came in the first half was when Marcus Schroen beat the offside trap and squared the ball to Philip Petreski as he ran into the box.
Petreski’s effort was blocked by the Adelaide defence however, and the ball rolled harmlessly into Hall’s arms.
Heart came out stronger after the break, with Ben Garuccio in particular looking good with a couple of shots, one which went just wide and the other deflected wide.
Yet it was Adelaide who scored next, with Milesunic finishing well past Stevanja after being played through on goal.
Heart continued to press however, and almost got a goal back, but Hernan Espindola’s shot was well saved by Hall down to his left.
Adelaide were mainly content to play at their own pace, and managed to force another opening for Milesunic, but he couldn’t secure his hat trick on this occasion, with his shot aimed straight at Stevanja.
They were not to be denied though and eventually made it four as Jordan O’Doherty’s exquisite chip found the back off the net.
The ball fell to him as Stevanja came out to save a Nathan Konstandopoulos effort, and O’Doherty simply dinked the ball into the open net from 20 yards.
Heart’s Andrew Cartanos pulled a goal back after he played a neat one-two with Garuccio near the end, but it ended up being scant consolation as time expired.
MATCH STATS
Crowd: 125
Melbourne Heart:
1. Marko Stevanja (GK), 3. Phillip Petreski, 4. David Vrankovic, 5. Ross Archibald (c), 6. Alexander Dao (13. Tyler James +61’), 7. Hernan Espindola, 8. Paulo Retre, 9. Benjamin Garuccio, 10. Marcus Schroen (11. Jonathan Bounas +61), 14. Ersin KAYA (2. Andrew Cartanos +61’), 15. Sam Mitchinson
Unused Substitutes: 16. Phillip Petrovski (GK)
Yellow Cards: Kaya, Petreski, Bounas
Red Cards: Nil
Adelaide United:
1. John Hall (GK), 2. Dion Kirk (10. Ryan Kitto +88’), 3. Shaun Harvey (c), 6. Jack Bladen, 9. Anthony Costa (17. Jordan O’Doherty +60’), 20, 10. Ryan Kitto (7. Bruce Kamau +60’), 11. Nikola Milesunic, 15. Matthew Bouzalas, 16. Jacob Melling (8. Nathan Konstandopoulos +60’), 19. Cameron Watson, 21. Anthony Golec
Unused Substitutes: 20.Daniel Margush
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Referee: Patrick Chaplin