Adelaide United has suffered a second straight loss, going down 2-0 to Melbourne City at Coopers Stadium on Sunday night.
The Reds fell behind midway through the first period via an unfortunate Jordan Elsey own goal before Luke Brattan doubled the advantage after the break.
Marco Kurz made two changes to his starting line-up with Nikola Mileusnić receiving his first start of the season while Ken Ilsø returned after missing last week with injury. Ryan Kitto and Taylor Regan were both named on the bench.
Adelaide showed more intent early in the encounter, utilising the pace provided by Ben Halloran and Mileusnić on the flanks.
City scored against the run of play when Riley McGree’s right-footed delivery was inadvertently turned home by Elsey. There was little Paul Izzo could do between the sticks due to the ferociousness of the deflection.
Adelaide toiled hard but to no avail as the visitors had the momentum until Craig Goodwin, on his birthday, had the chance to draw United level.
On the stroke of half-time, Michael Marrone’s accurate cross picked out the unmarked winger, who nodded his header wide.
The second-half saw Adelaide fall further behind when Brattan made it 2-0 from distance. Lachlan Wales found Dario Vidosic, who teed up the midfielder and his stinging shot could not be dealt with by Izzo.
The hosts continued to show endeavour with Galloway coming the closest to grabbing a goal.
However, it was a frustrating performance with United desperate to bounce back on Boxing Day against Western Sydney Wanderers.
Key moments:
25’ | GOAL: McGree’s low cross takes a wicked deflection off Elsey and past a helpess Izzo.
45’ | Goodwin, unmarked, connects with Marrone’s cross but he diverts his header wide of the target.
50’ | GOAL: Wales squares to Vidosic, who lays the ball off to Brattan and his low drive from the edge of the box beats Izzo.
68’ | Isaías slips through Goodwin and on a tight angle cuts onto his right before shooting off target.
74’ | Galloway initially checks onto his right before favouring his left and unleashes a venomous strike which flies inches wide of the post.
Match details:
Sunday, 16 December 2018
Hyundai A-League 2018/19 – Round 8
Adelaide United 0
Melbourne City 2 (Elsey 25’ OG Brattan 50’)
Venue: Coopers Stadium
Crowd: 8,504
