The highly-anticipated first Melbourne Derby of last season came in Round 2 at Etihad Stadium. But few of the 43,188 fans could have foreseen what was about to unfold.
TIMMY TIME
It took less than half an hour of his debut for Tim Cahill to announce himself as a Melbourne City player with one of the great Hyundai A-League goals.
The Caltex Socceroos’ all-time leading goalscorer latched onto a bouncing ball just outside the centre-circle and from forty yards out, drilled a spectacular half-volley into the top corner to the delight of City’s fans.
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BRUNO AND BRATTS HELP THEMSELVES
Four minutes later, City skipper Bruno Fornaroli scored the first of what would be 17 goals in his second season in Australia, stooping to head home Nicolas Colazo’s precise left-wing cross.
Fornaroli was again involved just after half-time, releasing Bruce Kamau down the left and when his mazy run ended with a pass to Luke Brattan, the former Roar man made no mistake on his Melbourne City debut.
ROJAS GIVES VICTORY HOPE
Marco Rojas finally sparked his side to life just after the hour mark.
The ‘Kiwi Messi’ picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area, danced his way past four defenders and steered the ball under the advancing Dean Bouzanis to make it 3-1.
BRANDAN SLAMS THE DOOR SHUT
Victory fans were still celebrating when Fernando Brandan restored City’s three-goal advantage.
The Argentine got the better of Jason Geria down City’s left before cutting in and beating Lawrence Thomas with a low shot at his near post.
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AS GOOD AS IT GETS
At the final whistle, Melbourne City’s players celebrated in front of their ecstatic fans, while Victory’s beaten men trudged towards the tunnel.
They were to have their revenge later in the season, winning each of the remaining two derbies 2-1.
But this was City’s night, without a doubt.
