French flair delivers City a derby to cherish

Frenchman Erick Mombaerts has brought the flair back to Melbourne City in more ways than one this season.

Ola Toivonen of Melbourne Victory scores as goal after Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover parries the ball into the net Picture: AAP

Frenchman Erick Mombaerts has brought the flair back to Melbourne City in more ways than one this season, and it was his countryman’s breakout display that delivered derby delight.

Marquee player Florin Berenguer, who’s had a largely underwhelming 18 months at the club, netted his first City goal and assisted the second in his best display in 27 outings, delivering City one of their most important wins.

A catastrophic goalkeeping gaffe from Olyroo Thomas Glover — who was replacing Dean Bouzanis (missing for personal reasons) gifted Victory gun Ola Toivonen his easiest goal of the season, but it proved merely a consolation in City’s 2-1 win at AAMI Park.

Victory’s loss was soured by a hamstring injury to Socceroo Robbie Kruse, who limped down the tunnel just 29 minutes after coming on.

In a generally underwhelming A-League season, this was undoubtedly a high watermark.

It had drama, flair, impressive goals, star factor, a cracking atmosphere and on-field spice — headlined by a 67th minute mini melee involving Kruse and City duo Adrian Luna and Berenguer.

The fans were in great voice — led by the Victory fans, in their loudest display of the season, despite the result.

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Interim Carlos Salvachua means business, adopting the suit — unlike predecessor Marco Kurz, whose tracksuit choice did not sit well with the club’s top brass.

Mombaerts opted for the hipster look, with an untucked shirt and vintage wide tie part on an ensemble that included a black unzipped hoodie, baseball cap and white kicks.

City’s football was as fashionable as the 64-year-old’s get up, with fellow Berenguer opening the scoring after the home side ruthlessly exploited a rookie error.

Ben Carrigan, in just his third A-League start, was over-eager to nick ball on halfway from Adrian Luna, who used his South American street smarts to evade and penetrate. Berenguer’s clever positioning and sublime first touch enabled him to finish a passage that would too often be botched. Luna and Berenguer — courtesy of a sumptuous backheel — again combined, with Craig Noone also playing a part, in a superb passage that ended with Jamie Maclaren’s 14th goal of the season in the decisive second goal.

German defender Tim Hoogland returned for Victory and his first XI was crucial with Leigh Broxham (calf) missing.

Victory’s new 3-4-3 formation appeared to suit the profile of players at his disposal, but the lapse left them scrambling with the defensive midfielders to slow to retreat.

City had no choice but to go makeshift, with Rostyn Griffiths expertly filling a gap in an undermanned defence which Victory tried to exploit.

Marco Rojas nearly lifted the roof off AAMI Park when he was sent on along with Kruse in the 55th minute. They put City on the back foot momentarily without being able to affect the game, but it took Glover’s gaffe to give the “visitors” hope.

The importance of the win was highlighted by Mombaerts’ ecstatic display at the final whistle, which included a consolatory word with Glover.

That win leaves City well placed to mount a serious finals challenge battling Perth Glory for a top-two berth.

Herald Sun