Toivonen hits double as Victory ignite season with derby win

Ola Toivonen’s first half brace saw Melbourne Victory overwrite the form book and stun Melbourne City 2-1 in Saturday afternoon’s derby.

Toivonen struck twice in an opening half Victory dominated and although Harrison Delbridge’s header gave City interest, the embattled four-time Champions were good value for their third win of the season and spurned multiple chances to increase their advantage.

Victory played like a team with a point to prove during the fiery opening exchanges at AAMI Park which saw City ‘keeper Tom Glover parry Elvis Kamsoba’s volley, with Andrew Nabbout screwing his attempt wide on the rebound.

But Marco Kurz’s men did draw first blood after a sharp move on the edge of the City box involving Kamsoba and Nabbout, who delivered a wicked cross to the box past for Toivonen to head in at the back post.

City could not match the intensity of their rivals and it got even better for the Navy Blue five minutes before half time when Toivonen added his second.

Nabbout was again the provider, caressing a gorgeous first-time ball across goal which ricocheted off Curtis Good and forced Glover to parry, but only as far as the Victory skipper.
Caltex Socceroos forward Nabbout could’ve put Victory out of sight early in the second half when he raced onto Kamsoba’s release only to place his effort wide.

Delbridge’s commanding header gave City hope following that miss, but it was Victory who created the better opportunities – including Migjen Basha’s goalbound header which was cleared off the line spectacularly by Scott Galloway.

Nabbout could’ve sealed the derby on 81 minutes but he glanced Adama Traore’s cross wide of the goal.

Key moments

Victory talisman strikes

Marco Kurz’s side flew out of the blocks and deservedly took the lead when Toivonen headed home.

Victory’s Swedish forward peeled off to the back post, where he made no mistake planting Nabbout’s sensational delivery back across Glover for the opener.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6117478298001

Toivonen at the double

Five minutes from half time, Toivonen sent the Navy Blue faithful in dreamland by doubling his goal tally, and the lead for Victory.

Migjen Basha’s picked out Nabbout, whose first-time cross rebounded off Good and Glover, leaving Toivonen to gleefully nod Kurz’s side two goals to the good.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6117477966001

Delbridge gets City back in it

What a time to come up with your maiden Hyundai A-League goal.

After a swashbuckling raid which nearly resulted in a Victory own goal, City registered their interest from the following corner, from which Delbridge powered an unstoppable header past Lawrence Thomas.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6117479079001