Late own goal rescues Western Sydney vs. Melbourne City

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:52 am

A late own-goal from Melbourne City midfielder Neil Kilkenny gifted Western Sydney a point in a controversial 1-1 draw.

City star Tim Cahill appeared to have celebrated his highly anticipated comeback to his hometown by delivering a 55th-minute match-winner at Spotless Stadium.

But a blindsided Kilkenny accidentally bundled home a cross from Wanderers winger Jack Clisby in injury time, in what was almost the final move of the match.

Cahill's goal came just four minutes after Western Sydney striker Kerem Bulut was robbed of a goal when he was incorrectly ruled offside.

Bulut appeared to have broken his goalscoring drought when he fired under advancing goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, running straight to the Red and Black Bloc for a 30-second celebration.

But the local boy was called back by referee Chris Beath and was substituted not long after Cahill's effort, ending a frustrating night that included four first-half offsides. Replays later showed Bulut was onside.

It was another Western Sydney product that further incensed the home crowd, with Cahill timing his run into the six-yard box with precision and finishing off a Fernando Brandan cross.

The majority of the poor crowd of 14,232 -- a near-sellout 24,000 attendance was expected -- booed the Socceroos veteran after he scored, which was just his second goal since returning to the A-League.

City coach John van't Schip could have a couple of injury concerns, with goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis a halftime substitute with a shoulder concern and Osama Malik coming off with a groin issue.