Three goals arriving from three corners has secured a third consecutive win for Adelaide United after defeating Melbourne City 3-1 at Coopers Stadium on Saturday.
A brace from Ben Halloran and George Blackwood’s bullet header sealed the points for Adelaide and incidentally a third straight triumph over a Victorian outfit.
Craig Noone had equalised for the visitors when United failed to clear their lines, but two goals before the break put the Reds in a commanding position.
Harrison Delbridge was later dismissed in the second-half for the third time this year after VAR upgraded the decision, dashing any hope of a City comeback.
Gertjan Verbeek made just the one alteration to the line-up that edged Western United 4-3 last round. Nathan Konstandopoulos was rewarded for his match-winning goal last week for his second start of the campaign, deployed alongside Riley McGree and Louis D’Arrigo in midfield.
It was a scrappy start to the game though Adelaide profited from City switching off at a corner on 12 minutes.
Craig Noone’s air-swing allowed Halloran to turn and unleash a low strike through traffic and beyond Dean Bouzanis.
Four minutes later, Adelaide were at fault for some sloppy defending and Noone made up for his earlier mistake, connecting a half-volley which beat Paul Izzo.
As the match ebbed and flowed, Adelaide scored two goals from corners just before half-time to drastically change the momentum of the game.
Halloran netted his fifth league goal of the campaign, as his back-post header snuck into the goal.
Blackwood’s header was more forceful in first-half stoppage time with a thumping effort from Konstandopoulos’ corner.
Adelaide dominated the second stanza even prior to Delbridge’s red card and should have put the game to bed having squandered a couple of good opportunities.
However, it did not matter as United controlled the rest of the game and limited City to only half chances.
Key moments:
12’ | GOAL! The corner is sent to the back stick and Halloran pounces on Noone’s inability clear the ball as it falls kindly to the winger and he drives his low, left-footed strike past Bouzanis.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6128841107001
16’ | GOAL: Noone atones for his earlier mistake, drilling a volley on the up inside the box beyond Izzo after Adelaide’s partial clearance.
41’ | GOAL! Jordan Elsey flicks on the corner and it is headed in by Halloran at the far post.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6128842927001
45+2’ | GOAL! Blackwood connects exceptionally with Konstandopoulos’ corner to head home and double the advantage.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6128842947001
76’ | RED CARD! Delbridge is dismissed after his heavy touch forces him to slide into Mileunsić and the initial caution is upgraded to a red following further inspection from the VAR.
Match details:
Saturday, 1 February 2020
Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Season – Round 17
Adelaide United 3 (Halloran 12’, 41’ Blackwood 45+2’)
Melbourne City 1 (Noone 16’)
Venue: Coopers Stadium
Attendance: 7,068
