Melbourne City had David Villa to thank yet again as the Spaniard netted another late goal to earn his side a share of the spoils against Newcastle at a bustling AAMI Park. Ecuadorian loan signing Edson Montaño headed the Jets into the lead just beyond the hour mark and it looked destined to end that way. Up stepped Villa who finally slotted home after spending 85 minutes knocking on the door.
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GK: Andrew Redmayne – 6
The City shot-stopper had a quiet day at the office until Edson Montaño managed to head past him. Although he couldn’t do much to stop the powerful effort, he will nonetheless be disappointed not to have kept a clean sheet. His distribution was decent.
RB: Jason Hoffman – 5
The returning right-back was untroubled in the first half, appearing comfortable in possession. However the second half was a different story, with the former Jet torn apart by Carney and Steele as he gave them way too much space out on the left.
CB: Rob Wielaert – 5
Like much of the City side, the Dutchman was composed and efficient in his role during the first half. However his lack of pace was exposed on many occasions in the second half and should have defended better to prevent Montaño’s goal.
CB: Patrick Kisnorbo – 5.5
Commanding presence at the heart of the defence in the first half, Kisnorbo struggled in the second. He was caught lapsing on a few occasions and would be filthy with the defensive performance of the side in the second half.
LB: Iain Ramsay – 5
Started off well, having some nice interplay with Villa while looking more comfortable at left-back. However he was tested more in the second interval by Griffiths and gave him too much space in the lead up to the Jets goal. Subbed in the 82nd as City searched for an equaliser.
CM: Erik Paartalu – 6
His passing and control of the midfield was integral to City’s dominance in the first half. However he struggled for the same effectiveness in the second half and made way for Retre in the 67th minute, highlighted by his sprayed shot early in the second period that travelled higher than it did far.
CM: Massimo Murdocca – 6.5
The pint-sized midfielder put in an energetic display, racking up the passes in the centre of midfield. However, he once again failed to contribute anything meaningful in the front third, wasting a good through ball when played in by Villa in the first half.
★ AM: Aaron Mooy – 7.5 ★
The former Wanderer was City’s best player on the day, with the former Wanderer at the heart of everything good they offered in the first-half, offering up crisp passing and dangerous set-piece deliveries. His two goal-bound shots were superbly blocked by the Jets defence in the second half before the number six made a timely defensive intervention in added time to prevent what could have easily been a Jets winner.
RW: Damien Duff – 7
The Irishman continued on his impressive form from Round 1 in the first half, giving the Jets many problems with his frequent runs and crosses. His effectiveness was halted in the second half as he was frustrated by a much improved Newcastle performance and his side’s inability to offer much going forward.
LW: David Williams – 5.5
The forward return to the starting line-up after a spell on the sidelines through injury last week and looked lively early on. He created and executed his side’s first shot on goal but faded as the game went on and was promptly replace by Dugandzic just after the hour mark.
ST: David Villa – 7 (1 goal)
For 85 minutes, the Spanish superstar was frustrated as Jaliens and co. did well to contain the striker. He spurned two decent opportunities off corners but made no mistake with his third effort in the 86th minute, a superb strike into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
Sub: Mate Dugandzic – 5 (on 64′)
Apart from a fine cross into the box which tested Birighitti, the winger struggled once on, failing to create any meaningful opportunities in another lacklustre display.
Sub: Paulo Retre – 5.5 (on 67′)
The youngster failed to get into the game despite some nice touches.
Sub: James Brown – n/a (on 82′)
Didn’t have much time to make an impact however he did spurn a nice opportunity with his tame effort failing to trouble Birighitti in goals.
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Votes:
3. Aaron Mooy – 7.5
2. David Villa – 7
1. Damien Duff – 7
TCF Melbourne Medal Running Tally:
15.5 – Damien Duff (Melbourne City)
15.5 – Daniel Georgievski (Melbourne Victory)
15 – Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City)
9 – Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory)
8.5 – Besart Berisha (Melbourne Victory)
8 – Matthieu Delpierre (Melbourne Victory)
7.5 – Nathan Coe (Melbourne Victory)
7.5 – Paddy Kisnorbo (Melbourne City)
7 – David Villa (Melbourne City)