Bruno Fornaroli has struck twice to guide Melbourne Victory to a hard-fought 2-1 A-League Men win over fierce rivals Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium.
The match kicked off with temperatures in the mid-30s on Saturday evening, but Fornaroli kept his cool to ensure a win that lifted his side to third on the ladder.
The Socceroos striker scored a goal in each half, with the Reds equalising early in the second period through substitute Nestory Irankunda, before Fornaroli had his side back in front within minutes from the penalty spot.
The loss extends Adelaide’s winless run to seven while Victory snapped back-to-back defeats.
Victory coach Tony Popovic was thrilled with the win over one of the club’s biggest rivals on their home turf.
“These games are obviously always passionate affairs and coming here is always special," he said.
"It’s always a special atmosphere, great stadium, the pitch is great. It’s everything you expect from this game so we’re happy to come away with the win.”
Victory had the first chance after five minutes when Salim Khelifi released Zinedine Machach whose shot was deflected over the bar by a desperate slide from Nick Ansell.
The Melbourne outfit were soon on the attack again, Nishan Velupillay breaking down the left and looking to curl his shot into the far bottom corner - but his effort was expertly tipped away by James Delianov.
Velupillay tested United’s ‘keeper again on 25 minutes when he was threaded through by Machach and blasted a powerful shot from inside the area that drew a stunning save by Delianov.
The visitors’ pressure eventually told, and they broke the deadlock on 33 minutes with Machach and Velupillay again involved.
Machach evaded a tackle on the halfway line and tore forward before releasing Velupillay who shot from just inside the area.
Delianov managed to keep the effort out but could only push the ball into the path of Fornaroli who tapped into an unguarded net.
United made two changes at the break with Ben Halloran and Irankunda thrown into the action - and the substitutions paid off almost immediately.
On 51 minutes, Irankunda let fly from with a venomous strike from 25 metres which dipped and swerved to beat Paul Izzo at his near post.
The Reds’ joy was short-lived however, with Victory awarded a penalty just three minutes later when Fornaroli's shot from just inside the area struck the arm of the sliding Ansell.
The Victory striker stepped up and slammed the spot kick into the bottom left corner.
Fornaroli almost had a hat-trick on 86 minutes, crashing a shot off the bar after Daniel Arzani had laid off the ball.
United almost equalised for a second time just a minute later when Javi Lopez headed a Zach Clough free kick goal bound, but Izzo kept the ball out with an impressive reflex save.
Reds coach Carl Veart lamented another inconsistent display.
“We’re disappointed to take nothing from another home game,” he said.
“It sums our season up – we play some good football at times, but just not long enough.”
