Stats review: City win Derby despite Victory control, Phoenix enjoy home comforts

Melbourne City were prepared to contain rivals Melbourne Victory in the Melbourne Derby and it paid off, while most teams enjoyed being away from home in Round 1 of the Hyundai A-League.

City were among the teams with less possession in their openers and, like Wellington Phoenix – the round's only other winners – that approach worked.

But the Phoenix were the only outfit to make the most of home-ground advantage in Round 1.

We take a look at that and more thanks to Opta data.

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Melbourne City enjoying Docklands, league openers

Riley McGree's second-half winner against Melbourne Victory gave Melbourne City a third Derby success in four matches at Marvel Stadium.

It also extended their fine run in Hyundai A-League openers. The club is now unbeaten in their past seven Round 1 matches, having allowed Victory (54.8%) the majority of possession.

Ritchie De Laet cancelled out Keisuke Honda's header in the first half of the Derby, putting away a rebound after Florin Berenguer had a penalty saved by Lawrence Thomas.

City won a league-high five penalties when playing away from home last season, but their struggles converting continued (three of five in 2017-18).

Phoenix end opening day wait, continue Wellington misery for Jets

Wellington Phoenix went into their meeting against Newcastle as underdogs, but their record against the Jets at Westpac Stadium always suggested an upset was on the cards.

A Daniel Georgievski own goal and Roy Krishna strike – before Dimitri Petratos' fine late effort ­– saw the Phoenix beat the Jets at their home ground for the 12th time in their last 15 clashes.

It marked just the second time in Hyundai A-League history that the Phoenix, who had just 39.7% of the possession, have opened their campaign with a win.

The loss was just Newcastle's second in their past eight away games.

Roar maintain Mariners record as Pain carries form

Brisbane Roar were unable to make the most of their opportunities in a 1-1 draw with the Central Coast Mariners.

But the result at least extended their fine recent record against the Mariners, with Roar unbeaten in their last 13 meetings with Central Coast.

Adam Taggart cancelled out Connor Pain's early opener to ensure Brisbane grabbed a point. The Roar forward also missed three big chances – the most of any player in Round 1.

Pain's goal means he has now been directly involved in five of the Mariners' past seven Hyundai A-League goals.

Adelaide break Sydney duck as Sky Blues continue run

Adelaide United took a league-high six shots per game from outside the box last season, and that approach paid off to open the new campaign.

Scott Galloway's 25-yard strike on the stroke of half-time gave the Reds the lead and marked their first Hyundai A-League goal against Sydney FC since Bruce Djite's brace in April 2016.

But Adam Le Fondre earned the Sky Blues a point with his goal in the 78th minute, continuing Sydney's fine run outside of New South Wales.

The Sky Blues now unbeaten in their past 19 games outside their home state.

No glory but Perth extend fine streak

Perth Glory was unable to hold on for a win over Western Sydney, but the result saw them extend their unbeaten streak against the Wanderers at nib Stadium to seven games.

That both teams managed to score – through Andy Keogh and Roly Bonevacia – should have come as no surprise.

There has been just one clean sheet kept in the last nine games between Glory and the Wanderers.

Returning to a home opener helped Glory, who are undefeated in their past six Round 1 games at nib Stadium.