A returning Tomi Juric sent a 10,000-plus Coopers Stadium crowd into raptures by netting a superb opener as Adelaide United clinched a 2-0 triumph against ten-man Melbourne City.
The 41-cap Socceroos forward produced a moment of pure quality in the 66th minute to sweep a lethal finish past goalkeeper Tom Glover, a first-time strike from Louis D’Arrigo’s smart free-kick.
A moment of madness from Melbourne City captain Scott Jamieson presented the Reds with the set-piece opportunity when the veteran defender cynically hacked down teenage winger Yaya Dukuly.
Jamieson had already been booked 10 minutes earlier for dissent and referee Alireza Faghani had no choice but to present a red card to the delight of the raucous home fans in the City of Churches.
If Juric’s first A-League goal in almost six years dented City’s chances, their hopes were crushed when Stefan Mauk collected a slick return pass from lively substitute Mohamed Toure and slid a second goal under the outstretched Glover in the 76th minute.
That 10-minute period flipped a tightly-contested game upside down as City self-destructed and the Reds seized control to earn Carl Veart a maiden victory since being appointed permanent Reds coach, while City chief Patrick Kisnorbo suffered a first defeat.
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Next Fixtures
Melbourne City v Western United
Sunday, 17 January 2021
Venue: AAMI Park
Kick-off: 6.05pm AEDT
Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory
Saturday, 23 January 2021
Venue: Coopers Stadium
Kick-off: 7.10pm AEDT
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