MELBOURNE City FC are celebrating winning their maiden A-League trophy, after Patrick Kisnorbo’s side defeated challengers Central Coast to claim the Premier’s Plate this evening at AAMI Park.
In front of their own supporters, City came out on top of a titanic struggle with the Mariners thanks to a single goal from Craig Noone.
On a special night for City – with striker Jamie Maclaren celebrated before kick off for getting to 100 A-League goals faster than anyone – history was made for the competition too, marking the first men’s trophy won since the A-League and Westfield W-League became independent on December 31.
MATCH REPORT: City lift Premiers Plate after edging tense battle with Mariners
The Premier’s Plate is City’s second men’s trophy, after winning the FFA Cup in 2016, and means they will host one of the semi finals once the A-League 2021 Finals Series gets underway.
The triumph comes in Kisnorbo’s first season as head coach, three years after he coached City to the Westfield W-League Championship – though Kisnorbo had to celebrate on crutches after having an operation on his Achilles.
While City have now confirmed they will finish in top spot, the race to secure the other five places in the finals remains more congested than ever, promising a riveting finale to the season.
“I want to offer all our congratulations to Melbourne City and Paddy Kisnorbo for continuing to build momentum during the season to be ultimate winners of the Premiers Plate,” said Leagues Commissioner Greg O’Rourke. “It’s fitting that the crucial win came in such an absorbing game, because this has been such a fantastic and dramatic season of football so far.
“The Mariners have had a great season and made them fight all the way tonight, but in the end the league table doesn’t lie and City can add another chapter to the history of the club. I can’t wait to see how the other teams battle for positions in the final six and ultimately the right to be crowned Champions.”
