Melbourne City earned a hard fought 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar in a clash between two sides lacking confidence on Sunday at AAMI Park.
Both teams entered the game under pressure, with Melbourne City not winning at home in seven games, but a penalty three minutes into the second half from Aaron Mooy proved to be the difference on the day.
The best chance to open the scoring in the half fell to Matt McKay after a swift counter-attack, as Brisbane found numbers down the left with Henrique and McKay combining well, but latter’s shot cannoned back off the crossbar with Tando Velaphi at full stretch in his first game for the season.
That chance aside, the opening half was one with very few chances for either side, summed up by an audacious shot from Luke Brattan which flew over the bar after he saw Tando Velaphi off his line.
Erik Paartalu had a good chance to score for City early on as well, but he put his free header wide from Mooy’s free kick.
City Manager John Van’t Schip tried to inspire his team into action at the half, replacing Irishman Damian Duff with the pacey David Williams.
It was, however, another winger, Mate Dugandzic who won a controversial penalty, felled by Daniel Bowles as he cut into the box.
Aaron Mooy calmly stepped up and slotted the penalty clinically past Jamie Young in the Roar goal.
Williams soon found himself in the action as City pressed hard for a second just minutes later, combining well with Dugandzic and Mooy, but was unable to get his shot on target after a clinical move.
With just under half an hour remaining James Brown had a golden chance to double the lead after Brattan lost the ball in midfield, but his shot was well saved by Young.
Brisbane had to wait until the 78 minute mark before they threatened, with Stephen Lustica sending a shot curling high and wide of Velaphi’s goal.
By then, the reigning champions looked completely out of touch in the final third.
As 90 minutes ticked over City were not made to pay for their earlier wastefulness, with Brisbane unable to fashion meaningful chances up front, ensuring City broke their winless run at home that stretched back to March and eased pressure on under fire manager John Van’t Schip.
Melbourne City (Mooy (p) 49′) defeated Brisbane Roar 0 at AAMI Park
Crowd: 7721
Melbourne City: 20.Tando Velaphi (GK), 4.Connor Chapman, 5.Erik Paartalu, 6.Aaron Mooy, 11.Damien Duff (15. David Williams 46′), 14. James Brown (7.Iain Ramsay 75′), 17.Jason Hoffman, 19.Ben Garuccio, 23.Mate Dugandzic, 24.Patrick Kisnorbo, 25.Jacob Melling (8.Massimo Murdocca 84′)
Unused Subs: 1.Andrew Redmayne (GK), 3.Robbie Wielaert,
Yellow Cards: Garuccio 86′
Red Cards: None
Brisbane Roar: 21.Jamie Young (GK), 2.Matt Smith, 5.Corey Brown, 7.Mensur Kurtishi (12.Jean Carlos Solorzano 67′), 10.Henrique, 13.Jade North, 14.Daniel Bowles, 17.Matt McKay, 18.Luke Brattan (8.Steve Lustica 77′), 23.Dimi Petratos, 28.Brandon Borrello (4.Adam Sarota 63′)
Unused Subs: 30.Matt Acton (GK), , 15.James Donachie,
Yellow Cards: Bowles 32′
Red Cards: None