Victory edged by Reds

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Melbourne Victory suffered a rare loss to Adelaide United, beaten 2-1 in the Hyundai A-League at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

Summary

In an entertaining Round 10 clash, a Baba Diawara header put the Reds in front in the first half.

After Besart Berisha had a penalty saved, Victory levelled thanks to a wonderful goal from Mark Milligan.

However, George Blackwood came off the bench to give Adelaide just a second win in its past 14 meetings with Victory, with the Reds reduced to nine men late when Daniel Adlung and Ben Garuccio were sent off.

Victory made one change to the starting XI that came from behind to beat the Wellington Phoenix, Milligan returning from suspension to take Matias Sanchez’s spot in midfield.

While Adelaide made a lively start, Victory thought it had an opener in the seventh minute when Leroy George scored, but the goal was ruled out with James Troisi offside in the lead up.

However, Victory fell behind in the 17th minute as Diawara rose highest to nod in a Ryan Kitto corner.

Lawrence Thomas was forced into saves by Isaias and Diawara before the half-hour mark as both teams were otherwise largely playing in the middle third.

Troisi continually got into pockets of space between the lines, and his deflected 25-yard strike forced Paul Izzo into a diving stop in the 34th minute.

Rhys Williams, a standout again, earned Victory a free-kick prior to half-time, but Milligan curled a 25-yard effort over the bar.

Victory had a golden chance to level before half-time.

A shot from Jason Geria struck the arm of Garuccio inside the area, but Berisha’s penalty was saved onto the woodwork by a strong hand from Izzo.

But Victory levelled in tremendous fashion in the 56th minute.

A George cross from the left found Milligan, who flicked a touch over an opponent before volleying brilliantly into the bottom corner for his first of the season.

At the other end, Thomas made a low save to keep out Nikola Mileusnic, but the Victory shot-stopper was unable to stop Adelaide’s next chance.

Mileusnic burst clear down the right before crossing into the area, where Blackwood side-footed home.

Adlung picked up a second yellow card in the 82nd minute and Garuccio was also sent off, but Adelaide held on despite a late push from Victory.

Victory is away from home in Round 11, visiting the Brisbane Roar on Sunday, December 17.

Result

Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Round 10
Melbourne Victory 1
(Mark Milligan 56′)
Adelaide United 2 (Baba Diawara 17′, George Blackwood 72′)

Melbourne Victory: Thomas (gk), Geria, Deng, Williams, Nigro (Broxham 80′), Valeri (c), Milligan (Sanchez 70′), Troisi, Barbarouses (Ingham 80′), Berisha, George
Adelaide United: Izzo (gk), Strain (Marrone 74′), Elsey, Gulum, Garuccio, Isaias (c), Konstandopoulos, Adlung, Mileusnic (Ochieng 74′), Diawara (Blackwood 68′), Kitto

Yellow cards: Adlung 38’/82′, Garuccio 44’/87′, Gulum 54′, Geria 59′
Red cards: Adlung 82′, Garuccio 87′
Attendance: TBC
Venue: Etihad Stadium

Stats