- Nick Fitzgerald - 44'
- Bruno Fornaroli - 71' Pen
- Roy Krishna - 59'
Bruno Fornaroli spot on as Melbourne City beat Phoenix
Bruno Fornaroli scored the winning goal from the penalty spot as Melbourne City beat Wellington Phoenix 2-1 to go second in the table.
Nick Fitzgerald's deflected shot on 44 minutes began the scoring and Roy Krishna replied 13 minutes after half-time by poking home a penalty at the second time of asking.
With the game in the balance, Fornaroli's piece of invention on 71 minutes led to the game's defining moment. As a dangerous ball from Anthony Caceres was played in, Fornaroli attempted an overhead kick that lured Marco Rossi into manhandling him.
The penalty awarded, and City's captain did the business from the spot, scoring his seventh goal in eight games to settle the contest.
Despite resting Tim Cahill and Bruce Kamau with one eye to Wednesday's FFA Cup final, City were worth their win, playing with their trademark intensity.
The breakthrough came courtesy of a heavy deflection. Fitzgerald shimmied his way into the box, finding space to unleash a left foot curler that if left alone, might have found its way inside the back post. Instead, Rossi diverted the ball past the flailing Moss.
The half-time score of 1-0 might have been different had referee Kurt Ames given any of a trio of penalty shouts involving Krishna at one end and Brandan at the other.
But the penalties did come, firstly for the Nix. Ivan Franjic tugged at the shirt of Kosta Barbarouses on the edge of the box, and Krishna took to the spot. Dean Bouzanis saved the penalty but dropped the ball at the Fijian's feet, allowing him to tap home.
The Phoenix chased the game after going behind in the 71st minute, with Andrew Durante missing a gilt-edged chance with just minutes remaining.
It was not to be for Ernie Merrick's side, allowing City to close within four points of league leaders Sydney FC after eight rounds.
Game Information
A-League Men News