Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat declared his side thoroughly deserved the three points after the reigning Champions nullified a City comeback on Saturday night.
Victory seemed to be easing towards a comfortable win midday through the second-half, leading 2-0 thanks to goals from Fahid Ben Khalfallah and Kosta Barbarouses in front of over 40,000 fans at Etihad Stadium.
But two goals in three minutes from City shocked the home support but they had reason to cheer when striker Besart Berisha grabbed a 90th minute winner.
Victory down City in thrilling Hyundai A-League derby
“We get ourselves in front and then we go on and get the second. Generally when that happens everyone thinks you’re going to go on and shut the game out,” Muscat told reporters after the match.
“That’s the beauty of these games, they’re derbies.
“We spoke about it before the game, to expect anything, anything can happen in these games.”
Muscat admitted he wasn’t surprised by City’s comeback and that his side would take more away from the contest than just the three points.
“I think what we’ve got to understand is it might be a lesson,” said Muscat.
“They started taking a few risks, not tracking back. I suppose if you’re going to lose 2-0 then 3-0 doesn’t make much difference but we’ve got to be aware of that.
“I think the positive then is that we go on and find a way to score the winner.
Muscat was effusive in his praise for marquee Besart Berisha after he registered his sixth goal in his last four home derbies to continue Victory’s recent dominance over John van ‘t Schip’s side.
“We almost had a winner before that (the goal) too, there was contact with Bes inside the box,” said Muscat.
“The measure of the man, he made sure the next time the ball came across he wasn’t going to allow anyone to impede him and he got a deserved winner.
“I thought he was outstanding tonight.”
