Western Sydney Wanderers have welcomed the New Year by returning to winner’s list in a 3-1 victory over crosstown rivals Macarthur FC at CommBank Stadium.
Nicolas Milanovic was the star of the show teeing up both Marcus Antonsson and Aidan Simmons for first-half goals, as the Wanderers raced out to an early two-goal advantage on New Year’s Day.
A long range stunner from Jake Hollman brought the Bulls back into the contest in the 20th minute, but Valentino Yuel nodded home the sealer in the final ten minutes to wrap up the win in-front of 11,321 fans in Paramatta.
The victory solidified the Wanderers’ place in third place on the standings after last week’s defeat against Wellington Phoenix. They now sit only two points behind Wellington and Melbourne Victory who reside in the top two spots on the ladder.
Macarthur, on the other hand, have lost their last three games after going unbeaten in their opening seven matches and now sit in fifth place only one point inside the top six. Coach Mile Sterjovski will also be sweating on the fitness of left-back Ivan Vujica, after he was forced off in the second-half with an injury.
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Western Sydney came into the contest without star goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas, who has jetted off to Qatar ahead of the Socceroos’ AFC Asian Cup campaign, opening the door for young goalkeeper Jack Gibson to make his club debut.
Any lingering worries in the aftermath of their loss to Wellington were quickly put to rest, as it only took three minutes for the Wanderers to strike first. Jorrit Hendrix’s brilliant through-ball found Milanovic on the left-flank and he threaded a fantastic cross to an unmarked Antonsson, who slid home the opener.
The Wanderers doubled their lead only nine minutes later as Milanovic once again broke free down the left wing and found Simmons at the back post, who rose highest above a few Bulls defenders to nod home their second of the game.
Milanovic continued to cause headaches and he almost had a hat-trick of assists. His pass found Lachlan Brook, whose long range strike just flashed wide of the post.
Macarthur, however, fought back and cut into the Wanderers lead in style. Kearyn Baccus kickstarted a fast break, playing a fine ball to Hollman, who cut inside and fired an unstoppable long range effort in off post.
Despite conceding, Marko Rudan’s side continued to have the lion’s share of the first-half chances, with Alex Badolato having a shot blocked and Brook again putting an effort wide of Filip Kurto’s goal.
However, tempers flared as the first-half drew to a close, when Clayton Lewis and Oscar Priestman tangled up after a challenge by the young Wanderers midfielder. Jack Clisby then knocked the Bulls midfielder to the ground, with Lewis requiring treatment shortly after.
Both Lewis and Clisby received yellow cards as the former was punished for his scuffle with Priestman.
After a frantic first-half, the contest settled in the early going following the interval.
The Bulls’ best chance to equalise came just after the hour mark when Ulises Davila sprayed a cutback wide of Gibson’s goal, before minutes later Badolato was only inches away from doubling their lead once more after his speculative long range effort came close.
With just over 10 minutes remaining, Vujica’s evening came to an end prematurely, forced off the field with an injury in his return game after being on the sidelines since December 4.
The Wanderers faithful roared to life during the same stoppage, as Marko Rudan turned to his bench and brought on veteran Milos Ninkovic for only his second league appearance this season.
And it didn’t take long for Ninkovic to have an impact.
The 39-year-old found Tate Russell, who laid it off to Gabriel Cleur on the right-flank and his cross was put on a platter for fellow substitute Yuel – who dove in at the back post to nod home his second goal in Red and Black.
The talking point
Western Sydney Wanderers boss Marko Rudan made a fascinating move in the second-half of their win over Macarthur FC, playing natural full-back Gabriel Cleur in midfield.
Cleur came on in the 67th minute for Oscar Priestman and instead of slotting in at full-back, the 25-year-old played in midfield alongside Jorrit Hendrix and impressed, helping himself to an assist for Valentino Yuel’s sealer in the final ten minutes.
The seven-time Olyroo has been in and out of the Wanderers team, battling fitness concerns of his own along with competing with Aidan Simmons and Tate Russell to be their starting right-back.
However, it seems as if he’s found a new position for himself after his impressive display against the Bulls.
“t’s an interesting one with Gabby,” Rudan said post-game on Paramount+.
“Watching everyone really closely the skills they provide and I thought, we were lacking in that midfield department.
“Obviously, Josh Brillante is out and Oscar Priestman had his two starts in a row now, but we need a little bit of cover and he has a skill set.
“He’s got a good first touch. He’s quite athletic. He knows how to get into pockets. He knows how to to make those forward runs at the right time as well. He adjusted superbly.
“Maybe it was a bit of a shock to him when I spoke to him when one on one last week and I said, look I’m going to have a look at you in midfield this week, and he said, why not?
“And that’s fantastic. When every single player in this squad has got a fantastic attitude to always get better and continue to grow. I’m no different, we’re all the same and that’s what we’re about.”
The star
Nicolas Milanovic’s breakout season continued on Monday night.
The 22-year-old put together one of his best performances of the season in Western Sydney’s win over Macarthur, teeing up Marcus Antonsson and Aidan Simmons for their first-half goals, and came close to having a hat-trick of assists when Lachlan Brook flashed an effort wide of the mark.
Milanovic has thrived with more opportunity under Rudan this season, after making the move from Western United almost a year ago.
His versatility to play as both a winger and attacking midfielder has proved a real asset for the Wanderers this season, taking on a greater role in attack with Brandon Borrello injured and Milos Ninkovic battling his own fitness concerns.
What this means
Western Sydney are in a great position at the start of the New Year, sitting right among the top sides in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
The Wanderers are only two points of pacesetters Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory, heading into a stretch of three straight games at CommBank Stadium.
Marko Rudan’s side welcome two of the league’s hottest teams in Central Coast Mariners next Saturday and Melbourne City to town on January 12, before facing Perth Glory on January 20to round out an important home stand.
Meanwhile, Macarthur are gearing up for a frantic schedule over the next fortnight, that will see them play three matches in the space of 12 days.
The Bulls return home to face Newcastle Jets on Friday night, then travel to South Australia to face Adelaide United three days later on January 8, before taking on Western United on January 12 during Unite Round
