Melbourne City turned a one-goal deficit into a 4-1 win to clinch a club-record sixth consecutive A-League victory, in an impressive display over Western Sydney Wanderers at AAMI Park on Friday night.
The hosts came into the contest in fourth on the A-League table but finished it in second, moving above Adelaide United and the Wanderers to go within one point of the league-leading Central Coast Mariners.
Bernie Ibini opened the scoring against the run of play in the first half before Craig Noone struck his first of two goals just ten minutes later to restore parity in the contest.
City went on to take control in the second 45, blitzing the Wanderers with a ten-minute masterclass which saw City go 3-1 up on 55 minutes. Andrew Nabbout opened his City scoring account by brushing a lethal Noone cross over the line off his chest before assisting the Englishman’s second just minutes later as the hosts surged to a 3-1 advantage at AAMI Park.
The home side’s second-half dominance was highlighted by the performances of a range of City’s attacking talents, but as the clock ticked into stoppage time star striker Jamie Maclaren had yet to leave his imprint on the game.
That was until he popped up to score his 12th of the season, smashing a shot on the half-volley from Daniel Margush’s punched clearance into the back of the net to wrap up City’s impressive win over a fellow title contender.
The result ensured City’s winning streak improved to six games, bettering the club’s previous A-League record twice achieved in both the 2011/12 and 2013/14 campaigns. The Mariners’ place at the top of the table is now out of their control as City move to within one point of Alen Stajcic’s side with a game in hand.
