Spanish superstar salvages point for City

Melbourne City looked to impose themselves on the game, with Damian Duff causing headaches on the right wing, and Aaron Mooy delivering dangerous set pieces.

City had numerous half-chances on goal that were desperately cleared, including a cutback from David Villa after dribbling past two Newcastle players and gliding into the box.

For all of the hosts’ dominance in possession and territory, Birighitti went largely untested, strongly holding onto an Iain Ramsey volley outside the box.

The Newcastle custodian was in the thick of the action again moments later, acrobatically heading away a through ball outside the box that Villa was about to latch onto.

With half-time approaching, a Villa header into the side netting had sections of the crowd celebrating prematurely.

Andrew Redmayne, who’d been a mere spectator up until this point, was called into action after the half, denying former Victory midfielder Marcos Flores chance on goal.

Villa missed a gilt-edged opportunity to put City ahead, uncharacteristically skying a volley from close range.

Newcastle’s international signing Edson Montaño made no mistake moments later down the other end, heading home an inch-perfect Joel Griffiths cross.

The Ecuadorian had a chance to double the advantage in the 75th minute, but couldn’t compose himself after collecting a lobbed ball from Johnny Steele.

Newcastle were piling bodies in the box to protect the one goal advantage, which worked to great advantage as Aaron Mooy had two goalbound opportunities blocked by David Carney.

With time running out and the hosts pushing for an equaliser, Zenon Caravella had a simple chance to put the game to bed, but blazed a point blank shot over the bar.

The Jets were made to pay as Villa pounced on the ball outside the box and struck it past a desperate Birighitti.