Western United failed to add to its Isuzu UTE A-League Men winning streak, falling to a 2-0 defeat against Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Tuesday night.
The hosts found goals in each half to secure the three points as United’s four-game winning run came to an end.
The Green and Black will move quickly on to another Melbourne derby clash on Friday night, taking on Melbourne Victory back at AAMI Park.
Western United Team News
John Aloisi made two changes to his starting line-up, restoring Hiroshi Ibusuki back into the starting line-up and elevating Michael Ruhs for the first time this season.
Ramy Najjarine and Noah Botic took up spots on the bench, as did Jake Najdovski as he returned to the squad with Jordan Lauton dropping out due to suspension.
First Half
City had the better of the opening quarter of an hour but United was largely able to keep them at arm’s length.
The one big chance in the opening exchanges for the hosts came as a result of a turnover in United’s own box but Matt Sutton was alive to make an excellent save low to his left.
That moment helped United grow into the game and find more joy getting into the final third with a spell of sustained possession.
A lofted cross from Matthew Grimaldi missed everyone in the box and brought about a sharp save from Patrick Beach with Angus Thurgate arriving to convert at the back post.
The game continued to ebb and flow from there with both sides trading moves into their attacking halves until City took the lead from a corner as Harry Politidis converted from point-blank range after Kai Trewin’s initial header had hit the post.
United kept on the front foot and had a huge chance to equalise right before half-time when Grimaldi forced the save of the afternoon from Beach, leaving the Green and Black with work to do to find something from the game in the second half.
Second Half
Western United came out of the break looking for a swift response but with City intent on holding onto their lead, openings up front were hard to come by.
Aloisi’s men were able to put together chains of possession through midfield but the final action in and around the box was found missing on each occasion.
City took advantage and doubled their lead just before the hour mark after winning the ball high up the pitch, with Ben Mazzeo slamming the finish into the roof of the net.
That was a sucker punch that the Green and Black couldn’t respond to, but it wasn’t for lack of trying as Aloisi rolled the dice with all five of his substitutes coming on by the 70th minute.
Luke Vickery was again lively as he was against Perth on Friday night while Botic and Najdovski looked to spark something up front.
In the end it was one of those nights where Western United gave everything but couldn’t find a breakthrough as City held on to take the win.
