A pair of long-range thunderbolts from Hamza Sakhi and Terry Antonis helped Melbourne City survive a major scare and come from behind to defeat bottom-placed cross-town rivals Western United 2-1 in the local derby at AAMI Park on Sunday night.
In the 52nd minute, Sakhi put City level at 1-1 with a direct shot from 25 yards that sailed past the outstretched United goalkeeper Tom Heyward-Bale leapt to his right.
Half an hour later, after Tolgay Arslan kicked a free kick into the penalty area, and the ball swung around in the penalty area, Curtis Goode passed it with his toe to Antonis, who shot it rocketing from 20 yards, just 10 minutes after entering the field. An alternative to send City into the top four.
Western had one last chance to grab a point in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Ben Jaruccio danced around Arslan and entered the penalty area, but his shot from 16 yards was too high.
Earlier, United grabbed the lead against the run of play in the 13th minute when Michael Rohs, making only his second start this season, slotted the ball home from a few yards out for his first goal for the club. The opportunity was wonderfully created by Angus Thurgate.
Western should have doubled their lead three minutes into the second half when Noah Botic cut the ball back to a wide-open Daniel Pinha, but the Brazilian had a dreadful aerial swing from 12 yards out and had the goal at his mercy.
Ultimately, City were the superior team, finishing with more possession (55%), shots on target (19-13), corner kicks (8-5) and accurate passes (448-374).
Fears of infection to the city
But the victory could come at a heavy cost for City, with star duo Marin Jakoulis and Sacchi leaving the field in the second half due to what appeared to be hamstring complaints.
The city fails to get the reward
Melbourne jumped out of the gates with four shots on target during the first nine minutes, including two on target, but Western took a 1-0 lead on their first attempt.
City continued to form the most dangerous team during the remainder of the first half, but the Western defense, led by Jacob Tratt, repeatedly confronted them, as Jakoulis intercepted a dangerous cross that was flying in the direction of Jimmy McLaren in the 27th minute.
Ten minutes later, Heyward-Bale blocked a shot from Alessandro Lopani from 15 yards, and in the 45th minute Arslan combined with Leo Natel to pass the ball to McLaren at the near post, but Tratt was there again with a desperate header. To secure the West's first lead in the first half of the season.
Youth is on the way
City goalkeeper Jimmy Young shone and made eight saves, three of which were first-class, and came within 10 minutes to deny Western.
In the 61st minute, he blocked a Welsh shot from outside the six-yard area at a narrow angle on the right side. Five minutes later, he blocked a powerful Banha shot from close range, and in the 71st minute, Banha curled a shot from outside the goal. The edge of the area on the right was acrobatically thwarted by Young again.
High city, west of Wallo
The result saw City's unbeaten run in the league extended to six matches, including four wins, and they have lost just one of the nine matches since coach Aurelio Vidmar took over from Rado Vidosic.
Meanwhile, Western's horror campaign continued after losing their third straight game, and they have now lost nine of their 11 games this season.
