GK: Tando Velaphi – 6
Made a great save to get down and low to deny Griffiths from the free kick in the 14th minute before following it up with a routine save of a header from the same player. Had a couple of awkward moments throughout the game but could not really do much to prevent either of the two goals.
RB: Rob Wielaert – 5.5
His second straight start in the unfamiliar right back position saw him come up against the tricky Andrew Hoole who gave the Dutch veteran plenty of problems during the course of the match. The birthday boy did okay but it must be said that both the goals Newcastle scored came from his side of the pitch.
CB: Connor Chapman – 5.5
His worst game yet in a City shirt as the former Newcastle Jet was caught out of position for both goals his side conceded. Although he did very well in the first half to nullify any sort of threat the home side had up front, he was stranded out wide in no man’s land when both balls that led to the goals came into the box.
CB: Patrick Kisnorbo 6.5 – (1 assist)
Just like in the recent derby victory, the skipper appeared to retrieve a dwindling attacking move by setting up Damien Duff to slot home a third. His defensive display was questionable however with it being argued that he should have been tighter on Jeronimo Neumann in the lead up to the Jets first goal of the afternoon.
LB: Ben Garuccio – 6.5
A decent shift from the youngster who is making the left-back position his own after several credible performances. Dealt well with the threat of the dangerous David Carney while also contributing going forward by being a part of a few threatening attacking moves in what proved to be an encouraging display.
CDM: Erik Paartalu – 6
The man who turned down the Jets in favour of a move to City in the off-season was solid without being spectacular with his passing and break down of plays in the first half being one of the reasons why the Jets barely threatened the visitors. His defensive effort in the first half was commendable however poor to say the least in the second, as he could have done more to prevent both goals.
CM: Jacob Melling – 6.5
Took one for the team when picking up a booking in the first half as the Jets attempted a counter but his bullish performance was characterised by high work rate, energy and pressing that has made it hard for van’t Schip to drop the youngster from the starting eleven. Was hauled off in the 55th minute and will miss the side’s clash against the Mariners after collecting his fifth booking this term.
AM: Aaron Mooy – 8.5 (1 goal)
As efficient as always, the former Wanderer is the league’s in form midfielder and has responded well to his omission from the Asian Cup squad with a couple of magnificent performances. He slotted home the penalty with much confidence and was the lynchpin of nearly every attacking move from City as he combined well with the front three to cause the Jets defence all sorts of headaches throughout the ninety.
RW: Damien Duff 9 – (1 goal, 1 assist)
By far his best performance in City colours with the ex Chelsea and Fulham winger setting the ball rolling early on with some sublime play down the right which resulted in him earning his side a penalty. He scored his first for the club with a fantastic drive past Kennedy before setting up Koren in the second with a pin-point ball to the back post. All in all a terrific display from the Irishman.
CF: Robert Koren – 9.5 (3 goals)
The marquee man delivered on his starting debut for the club with a hat trick, becoming only the second City player after David Williams to do so. All three of his strikes were well taken finishes, epitomising the class one would come to expect from such a distinguished talent. His presence seemed to lift the side which looked more confident and threatening today, leaving many to wonder what might have been if the Slovenian had been fit earlier on in the campaign.
LW: James Brown – 6.5
Another former Jet who had his best game for the visitors since Round 1 as he was involved in much of the good work that led to his side being 3-0 up after 24 minutes on the clock. Played the ball in to the box which was turned into the path of Koren by Adrian Madaschi and would have been disappointed not to have returned the favour when the marquee man played him through in the second half only for Kennedy to smother away his effort before he was withdrawn shortly after.
SUB: David Williams – 6.5 (55 on for Melling)
Made way for a new attacking frontline trio however once on looked dangerous upfront and played his part in his side’s fourth goal by playing the ball into the path of Duff.
SUB: Mate Dugandzic – 6.5 (1 assist, on for Brown)
Immediately got himself involved in the action but waited too long when he found himself in a good goalscoring opportunity. He would soon make amends by setting up Koren for his hat trick in an assured cameo display.
SUB: Iain Ramsay – N/A
3. Robert Koren
2. Damien Duff
1. Aaron Mooy
TCF Melbourne Medal Running Tally:
70 – Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City)
45 – Fahid Ben Khalfallah (Melbourne Victory)
39.5 – Damien Duff (Melbourne City)
32.5 – Besart Berisha (Melbourne Victory)
31.5 – Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory)
30.5 – Kosta Barbarouses (Melbourne Victory)
22 – Connor Chapman (Melbourne City)
21 – Jacob Melling (Melbourne City)
20 – David Williams (Melbourne City)
18 – Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory)
16 – Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Daniel Georgievski (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Adrian Leijer (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Dylan Murnane (Melbourne Victory)
15 – David Villa (Melbourne City)
15 – Nathan Coe (Melbourne Victory)
14.5 – Mate Dugandzic (Melbourne City)
14.5 – Paddy Kisnorbo (Melbourne City)
13.5 – Erik Paartalu (Melbourne City)
9.5 – Robert Koren
8.5 – Gui Finkler (Melbourne Victory)
8 – Matthieu Delpierre (Melbourne Victory)
8 – Andrew Redmayne (Melbourne City)
7 – Nick Ansell (Melbourne Victory)