Melbourne Victory have secured a 3-1 win over the Western Sydney Wanderers in their A-League clash at AAMI Park.
Victory began on the frontfoot with some intricate play that resulted in James Jeggo playing the ball onto the feet of Archie Thompson, but his first touch was too heavy to get a shot on goal.
The home side had the first chance to take the lead after Andrew Nabbout was played through on goal, but the striker took too long to take a shot or pass the ball, allowing Dean Heffernan to drop back and dispossess the forward six yards from goal.
Victory continued to pile on the pressure with numerous chances, one of which began down the left with Nabbout. He cut inside to tee the ball up for Kosta Barbarouses, who dodged past players to get his shot in, but his volley flew across the face of goal.
Following a strong start, Victory were dealt an injury concern when Nabbout suffered a blow to the head, resulting in him being stretchered off the field.
Western Sydney's first shot of the game came towards the end of the first half through Heffernan, who unleashed a 30-yard curler that was parried clear by the Victory goalkeeper.
After the break, Victory eventually found the breakthrough when Barbarouses crossed the ball into the box from the right to find the feet of Thompson, who stroked it into the back of the net from the middle of the area.
The hosts continued their dominance with an impressive passage of play, which resulted in Barbarouses moving inside, opening up the angle and firing a left-footed volley into the back of the net.
The Wanderers tried to get back into the clash late in the match with a goal from Tomi Juric in injury time, but Victory responded with a goal of their own through Guilherme Finkler to wrap up the points.
Danielle Joynson
