Melbourne City has put on another attacking masterclass to sink Wellington Phoenix 3-1 at AAMI Park on Monday night.
A brace to Harry Novillo and another from Bruno Fornaroli – his 13th of the season – had City 3-0 up and cruising inside 50 minutes.
Phoenix’s Roly Bonevacia scored a contender for goal of the season midway through the second half to close the gap but it was mere consolation.
Only wasteful finishing from the home side denied them an even bigger win but it doesn’t matter as they jump up to second spot, just two points behind league-leaders Western Sydney.
GOALS
1-0 Fornaroli (12’) – The Uruguayan was released down the left wing, with Manny Muscat coming across the close him down. Fornaroli cut back inside, poking the ball through the defenders legs and getting into the box before placing his shot into the bottom, far corner.
2-0 Novillo (31’) – Both City’s wing-backs were involved, with Ivan Franjic switching the ball to Michael Zullo on the left. Zullo took one touch to control before firing in a powerful cross which was perfect for Novillo to volley home from close range.
3-0 Novillo (49’) – Anthony Caceres won the ball deep in Phoenix territory and found Mooy on the edge of the box. The Socceroos star shaped to shot but instead played it wide to Novillo on the right of the box and he rifled an unstoppable effort into the far top corner. A cracking strike.
3-1 Bonevacia (66’) – The Dutchman received the ball about 30 yards out from goal and unleashed a rasping effort which swerved and dipped past Thomas Sorensen, grazing the post on its way in. Another Roly rocket!
KEY MOMENT
Phoenix did have a few promising moments in the first half and were inches away from getting back on level terms on 19 minutes.
A free-kick in a dangerous area was swung in by Michael McGlinchey, with Andrew Durante muscling in between two City defenders to win a header which was heading for the bottom corner.
But Thomas Sorensen was athletic enough to get across and down low to keep it out and retain City’s 1-0 lead.
Just over 10 minutes later City made the most of their next chance and the contest was as good as over.
OPTA DATA KEY STATS
*Formaroli’s goal means he has now scored against all other nine Hyundai A-League clubs, from just 16 matches this season.
*Phoenix are now winless in their last seven games, their longest streak in more than two years when they didn’t win for 10 straight matches.
*City are now unbeaten in their last four Hyundai A-League games against Wellington.
HIGHLIGHTS REEL
How good are City to watch when in full flight? Some of their attacking play was simply scintillating and a number of their goals were howitzers.
There is so much variety to their attack that opposition defences are finding it hard to deny them space and chances on goal.
From Mooy’s brilliant vision and passing, to Novillo’s pace and power, not to mention Fornaroli’s excellent finishing…and even bringing out a Rabona.
Add to that the pace, work-rate and delivery from Zullo and Franjic on the flanks and City provided 90 minutes of sheer entertainment at AAMI Park.
