Here are the match ratings from Melbourne City’s 0-0 draw with Perth Glory over the weekend.
***
GK: Tando Velaphi – 6.5
A quiet day at the office for the custodian who did very well to get off his line in stoppage-time to deny Andy Keogh a clear goal scoring opportunity, which would have most certainly resulted in a victory for the visitors.
✮RB: Kew Jaliens – 7 ✮
The former Jets skipper and new signing was one of the best on the day, offering defensive stability and Sidnei very little space. In attack, his fantastic cross set-up Kennedy for the game’s best chance, while he also looked a threat from set pieces.
CB: Connor Chapman – 7
A matured performance from the youngster who kept Keogh very quiet on the day in a fascinating battle between the two. His progress must delight JVS who can entrust him in being the side’s most consistent defender week-in, week-out.
CB: Patrick Kisnorbo – 6
A much improved outing from the skipper who in recent weeks has had his starting position questioned. Did well aerially, kept the Perth attack at bay and almost threw himself about at set-pieces, often rising highest to meet the ball.
LB: Jack Clisby – 6
Improving at left-back with each week, the former Glory man flashed a decent shot just wide early on. Defensively stable throughout the game, although Harold and then Paljic did cause him some trouble in the second half.
DM: Erik Paartalu – 6.5
His return to the side from injury saw a much improved performance by the entire midfield in general – with City seeing more of the ball than they had in their previous two weeks without the influential enforcer.
CM: Jacob Melling – 6.5
Was very lively from the onset, running back and forth the pitch as well as hitting a few shots at goal. His willingness and energy was crucial to City’s good start however he picked up an injury early on in the second and was replaced by Murdocca in the 58th minute.
CM: Aaron Mooy – 6
Not his greatest performance in a City shirt but the star man was not disgraced either. His set piece deliveries were at times hit and miss however you cannot say that he didn’t put himself out there, showing the necessary desire as usual.
RW: David Williams – 5.5
Had some good moments in the first half, most memorably a fantastic cross-field ball to pick out Mooy and set up an attacking opportunity. Having said that, he was far too anonymous in the second as he struggled to get himself involved in the action.
LW: Robbie Koren – 5.5
Did some good things throughout the match with some nice interplay between him and Mooy exhibiting class. However surely more must be expected from the marquee man, especially in a game which was his and City’s for the taking.
ST: Joshua Kennedy – 6.5
Got himself about and did well without the greatest of support in attack. Was denied from opening his City account by a tremendous save from Vukovic. His presence in City’s attack has not borne the goals many might have expected yet, but his overall performances have been good.
SUB: Massimo Murdocca – 6 (on for Melling 58′)
His lack of prowess in front of goals denied him from breaking the deadlock when he was teed up by Kennedy shortly after coming on. Did his best to get himself on the ball and get a grip of the game, without ever looking likely to change the course of it.
SUB: Jason Hoffman – N/A (on for Williams 83′)
SUB: Paulo Retre – N/A (on for Koren 88′)
Votes:
3. Kew Jaliens
2. Connor Chapman
1. Josh Kennedy
TCF Melbourne Medal Running Tally:
85.5 – Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City)
60.5 – Fahid Ben Khalfallah (Melbourne Victory)
55 – Kosta Barbarouses (Melbourne Victory)
47 – Besart Berisha (Melbourne Victory)
45.5 – Damien Duff (Melbourne City)
44 – Connor Chapman (Melbourne City)
38 – Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory)
29.5 – Jacob Melling (Melbourne City)
23.5 – Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory)
22.5 – Nathan Coe (Melbourne Victory)
22.5 – Paddy Kisnorbo (Melbourne City)
22.5 – Carl Valeri (Melbourne Victory)
20 – David Williams (Melbourne City)
18 – Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory)
16 – Robert Koren (Melbourne City)
15,5 – Gui Finkler (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Daniel Georgievski (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Adrian Leijer (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Dylan Murnane (Melbourne Victory)
15 – David Villa (Melbourne City)
14.5 – Mate Dugandzic (Melbourne City)
13.5 – Erik Paartalu (Melbourne City)
8 – Matthieu Delpierre (Melbourne Victory)
8 – Jason Geria (Melbourne Victory)
8 – Andrew Redmayne (Melbourne City)
7 – Nick Ansell (Melbourne Victory)
7 – Safuwan Baharudin (Melbourne City)
7 – Kew Jaliens (Melbourne City)
6.5 – Josh Kennedy (Melbourne City)