Adelaide United consolidated their position in the top six by sweeping aside Melbourne City 3-1 at Coopers Stadium on Saturday night.
Gertjan Verbeek’s side punished the visitors three times from corners in the first half, as Ben Halloran struck twice either side of Craig Noone’s reply before George Blackwood gave the hosts a two-goal buffer.
The Reds spurned chances to increase their deficit against an out of sorts City, with Nathan Konstandopoulos and Halloran both missing presentable opportunities.
City struggled to mount anything resembling a fightback in the second half and an awful night for Erick Mombaerts got even worse when Harrison Delbridge was dismissed after flying into Nikola Mileusnic – the defender’s third red card of the campaign.
In doing so, Delbridge became the third player to be dismissed three times in a Hyundai A-League season. Nigel Boogaard and Besart Berisha are the other players.
Adelaide move back up to fifth while City fall 13 points behind leaders Sydney FC.
Key moments
Halloran breaks the deadlock
Adelaide made the perfect start when Konstandopoulos’ corner was flicked on by Jordan Elsey, Noone took an air swing, and Halloran – the man who scored the winner against City in last season’s Elimination Final – volleyed the ball home for his fourth of the campaign.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6128839683001
Noone finds a response
But Noone immediately atoned for that miscued clearance.
This time, it was Adelaide defender Michael Jakobsen culpable for a poor attempted clearance. Jamie Maclaren found the English attacker, and Noone lashed the ball past Paul Izzo for what was the club’s 400th Hyundai A-League goal.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6128837658001
Halloran makes it two
Adelaide restored their lead from another corner.
Again it was Elsey who flicked on McGree’s corner, and Halloran was left unmarked at the back post to head in a first half brace.
It was the former Socceroo’s second career double in the Hyundai A-League.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6128842836001
More corner frustration for City
Blackwood gave the Reds a two goal cushion going into the break and it was yet another corner which did the damage.
Konstandopoulos whipped a delightful ball into the near post and Blackwood planted a bullet header past Tom Glover.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6128842854001
Round 18
Melbourne City v Melbourne Victory
Friday, 7 February
AAMI Park
Kick off: 7.30pm AEDT
Brisbane Roar v Adelaide United
Saturday, 8 February
Suncorp Stadium
Kick off: 7.30pm AEDT
