Perth Glory were back to their Premiership-winning best as they defeated a heavily favoured Melbourne City outfit 3-0 in a complete performance at AAMI Park on Friday night.
Glory leapt off the bottom of the table and into the top six – albeit momentarily – with a comprehensive display against second-placed City, who failed to put pressure on table-toppers Sydney FC in a flat performance.
The signs were positive for the reigning Premiers who looked to have their mojo back early doors.
A mistake from City goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis gave Diego Castro an early chance to break the deadlock, but the Spaniard’s effort went well wide of the mark.
But not long after Fornaroli stepped up to make his first chance of the game count, breaking the deadlock with an opportunistic header just before the half-hour mark.
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At the resumption of play in the second half Glory capitalised on their ascendancy, notching their second goal of the game through a Harrison Delbridge own goal.
A wayward shot from Gregory Wüthrich looked set to drift out for a goal kick but Delbridge’s attempted block deflected the ball off his boot and into the back of City’s net.
Glory’s two-goal lead was well warranted on the balance of play and with 20 minutes to go they compiled City’s misery when Tomislav Mrcela’s scored his first Hyundai A-League goal.
In his first appearance of the season the centre-back rose highest to meet a wicked ball into the box from Neil Kilkenny, hammering his header into the top corner of the goal to seal an emphatic victory for the visitors.
The result took Glory to nine points in what was their second win of the campaign, and could prove to be the moment Tony Popovic’s side clicked back into their grove.
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Key moments
Castro can’t capitalise on Bouzanis blunder
Castro must have thought Christmas had come early when City goalkeeper Bouzanis passed a cross-field ball directly to his feet, providing him a chance to score into an open net.
But the Spaniard took too long to get the ball under control, leaning back on the effort and curling a weak attempt on goal which drifted high over the bar.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6113590875001
Bruno breaks the deadlock
As if written in the stars, Fornaroli opened the scoring against his former side just before the half hour mark.
A shot from distance from Juande deflected off Connor Metcalfe and hung in the air for what seemed an eternity.
Harrison Delbridge expected Bouzanis to come and collect the high ball but the City goalkeeper stayed glued to his line and Fornaroli took full advantage, pouncing on the chance to prod an easy header into the back of the net.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6113599221001
Delbridge own goal makes matters worse for City
City came out of the sheds after half time facing an uphill battle, and their challenge got all the more difficult after Delbridge scored an unfortunate own goal minutes after the resumption of play.
A well-worked corner routine from Perth resulted in Castro dribbling toward goal and his cut-back to the edge of the box found Gregory Wüthrich in acres of space.
His shot went through Chris Ikonomidis’ legs and looked to be going wide, but Delbridge stuck his boot out and guided the wayward shot off the post and into the net.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6113608079001
Mrcela seals the win with first Hyundai A-League goal
Two goals to the good Glory went in search of a sealer and found it through Tomislav Mrcela on his return from an extended injury layoff.
The central defender benefited from an inch-perfect ball from Neil Kilkenny from a corner routine, rising highest in the pack to dispatch a bullet header into the top left corner and put his side three goals ahead.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6113610019001
Metcalfe strike chalked offside
City looked to have scored a late consolation when Connor Metcalfe ghosted into the box and struck a low bullet across Liam Reddy’s goal into the bottom corner.
But the linesman’s flag went up immediately, and replays showed City’s young star had indeed strayed into an offside position.
Melbourne City head north to play the Newcastle Jets in Round 10. The match on Sunday, 15 December at McDonald Jones Stadium kicks off at 6.30pm AEDT. Get your tickets here
Find out more at the Match Centre here
Perth Glory entertain Western Sydney Wanderers at HBF Park on Saturday, 14 December. The Round 10 encounter kicks off at 5.45pm local, 8.45pm AEDT. Get your tickets here
Find out more at the Match Centre here
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