Midfielder Luke Brattan says discipline cost his side after a 10-man Melbourne City gave up a deserved lead to lose 3-1 against Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.
City were the better team in the first half and led just before the break through Brattan’s well-taken goal.
But the visitors went to half-time behind after the Sky Blues scored from a free-kick and penalty in the last few minutes of the first half.
A red card to City defender Manny Muscat after the break scuppered any hopes of a way back into the match, with Alex Brosque sealing the points for Sydney at the death.
“I thought the team played pretty well. We were positive, we had a game plan, it came across pretty well and we started positive. Just discipline got us in the end,” Brattan told Fox Sports post-match.
“I think we deserved more from the game.
“It’s disappointing. We have to look at ourselves in the mirror and be better personally.
“Decision making has to be better and discipline got us in the end.”
The defeat means City missed the chance to leapfrog Newcastle Jets into second spot and they are now a massive nine points behind league-leaders Sydney FC.
Warren Joyce’s men will still end the weekend in third spot ahead of a blockbuster Melbourne Derby against Victory next Saturday night.
“The squad we have we should be doing better,” Brattan said.
“We have been playing decent football the last couple of weeks but it’s a disappointing result. We have a massive derby next week.
