Wasteful Melbourne City held by Western Sydney Wanderers

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:38 am

Melbourne City squandered a golden chance to go top of the A-League table with a frustrating 1-1 draw against Western Sydney.

City dominated for much of Sunday night's clash at AAMI Park but wasted multiple opportunities to score.

The Wanderers went ahead in the 19th minute when Jaushua Sotirio scored against the run of play.

City drew level through a 54th minute Ross McCormack penalty but were denied victory by their own poor finishing and a heroic performance from Wanderers goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic.

The Croatian made several clutch saves, none better than his dive to the left to deny McCormack's curling set piece from just outside the penalty box in the 42nd minute.

McCormack was involved in everything for City but the Scotsman struggled to find the back of the net, missing two straightforward headers in quick succession midway through the second half.

Melbourne City celebrate Ross McCormack's penalty.
Melbourne City celebrate Ross McCormack's penalty.
Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

His goal came in dramatic circumstances after being taken down in the box by a late challenge from Raul Llorente.

The referee pointed to the spot, only to indicate he had called for a Western Sydney goal kick.

But the decision was overturned after being examined by the video assistant referee and McCormack converted the spot kick to claim his fourth goal for the season.

It was a solid result for new Wanderers coach Josep Gombau in his first game since taking the reins from caretaker manager Hayden Foxe.

The visitors went ahead early when Oriol Riera stole possession from Osama Malik and combined with Lorente to find Sotirio, who fired it into the post but pounced on the rebound and scored.

Tensions flared between the two sides when City striker Bruce Kamau went down with injury late in the second half.

City put the ball out of play for Kamau to come off but Western Sydney initially did not reciprocate, leading to a heated confrontation between Eugene Galekovic and Wanderers striker Riera.

A win would have put City top of the ladder but they will instead remain third with Western Sydney in fourth.