South Melbourne rise to top-of-the-table after derby win over Melbourne Knights

South Melbourne took the three points in the original Melbourne derby while also maintaining their impressive record against the Melbourne Knights.

South Melbourne is two-points clear on top of the NPL Victoria ladder after defeating Melbourne Knights 2-1 in the original Melbourne derby at Lakeside Stadium on Monday night.

A finger tipping save from South keeper Javi Diaz Lopez in the 78th minute stopped Knights striker Ciaran Bramwell from scoring an equaliser as his shot scratched the side of the left post.

The three points in the Round 3 clash keeps South undefeated on their home pitch against the Knights in the NPL’s nine-year history.

South Melbourne celebrating with fans after its 2-1 win over Melbourne Knights.

In eight encounters between the two teams on South home soil, the blue and white have recorded seven wins and a draw, with the club yet to drop a game.

Headering was the way for South with both its goals coming from the foreheads of Patrick Langlois and Marco Jankovic.

It began with South’s Marco Jankovic putting through a long throw from Max Mikkola to place the reigning premiers 1-0 up in the seventh minute.

South centre back and goalscorer Langlois said his goal from the handy Mikkola long throw in was something the club, striving for national second division, had drilled at training.

“We know that games can be lost and won on set pieces and we know that if we are really strong in that aspect, we can damage a lot of sides,” Langlois said.

“We can get three points just based off that and today showed.”

South coach Esteban Quintas said the throw in set piece was the play that was working the best for them at the moment.

06:19: GOAL! South Melbourne FC scores to make it SMFC 1 : MKFC 0

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— NPL Victoria (@nplvictoria) March 6, 2023

Straight after half time, Patrick Langlois scored a brace in the 47th minute, positioning himself in prime position to header in a rebounding save from Knights keeper Chris Oldfield.

Gian Albano gave the Knights a chance of a comeback when he made it 2-1 from the penalty spot in the 58th minute after teammate Bramwell was tripped over by South goalkeeper Diaz Lopez.

Knights strengthened to score after conceding the first goal and in the last 20 minutes of the game although they weren’t able to make the most of their possession.

Langlois was complimentary of the Knights following the win.

“Very tough game,” he said.

“Knights have recruited really well, they got a really good coach and they are well drilled.

“And they keep the football very well but today we stuck to our guns.

“We know what we are good at and we scored two good goals and defended well for most of the game.”

South are the only team in the competition with three straight wins to start the season.

South will take on Dandenong Thunder in Round 4 while Knights will play Bentleigh Greens.