Late Lleyton Derby Heroics Lift Victory Off Bottom

Melbourne City thought they had a third derby win of the season tonight, but a late Lleyton Brooks equaliser ensured Melbourne Victory have avoided confirming a first-ever last-place finish.

City looked too well-drilled for their albeit spirited neighbours, but Brooks’ late heroics earned Victory a 1-1 draw at a COVID-enforced empty AAMI Park.

Despite a 13-2 advantage in shots, City went into half-time with nothing to show for their dominance.

City’s manic pressing was eventually rewarded, as a driven Naoki Tsubaki cross in the 54^th minute glanced off Victory defender Nick Ansell to leave goalkeeper Matt Acton helpless.

Rudy Gestede ballooned two clear-cut chances over the bar minutes later, and would seemingly keep Victory fans wallowing in wooden-spoon sadness.

A flowing Melbourne City attack in injury time was capped off by Scott Galloway teeing up Anthony Lesiotis to convert a simple tap-in, but VAR ruled it out due to a fractional offside.

The result looked confirmed, but a scrappy Lleyton Brooks equaliser in the 95th minute sparked wild celebrations centred around the youngster.

The goal ensured Melbourne Victory won’t be, barring Newcastle earning a point against City next week, claiming the wooden spoon.

LATE DRAMA RELIEVES VICTORY OF MISERY

An all-time low points total was already confirmed for Melbourne Victory, but a wooden-spoon was on the line in tonight’s derby.

Semi-finalists just two seasons ago and champions the season prior, this potential new title for Victory wasn’t one they would’ve been displaying with pride.

However, Lleyton Brooks dramatically hammering in a volley had the navy half of Melbourne rejoicing from their locked-down homes. 

The result not only possibly relieved Victory of a maiden wooden spoon, but it also thwarted City’s chances of a first Melbourne Derby clean sweep.

Having avoided a trip to Perth for an FFA Cup play-off, a clash against Western United now instead awaits Steve Kean’s men.

CITY YOUNGSTERS SHINE

In the absence of their four leading goal-scorers, Melbourne City showed that their strength in attacking depth is more than adequate.

On his starting debut, 17-year-old Raphael teed up Marco Tilio twice within minutes to force Matt Acton into sprawling saves midway through the first half.

The son of ex-Adelaide United striker Cristiano, Raphael was the game’s spark in the first half along with the teenage Tilio.

Tilio, playing as a number nine, ensured the Victory defenders stayed on their toes, even without Jamie Maclaren, Craig Noone, Connor Metcalfe and Andrew Nabbout.

15-year-old attacker Max Caputo also had some tidy touches after coming on late for his professional debut.

POINTS TO PROVE AND PASSION APLENTY

With Melbourne City preparing for a tilt at a first Championship and Victory players playing for a spot in next season’s squad, the 35^th Melbourne Derby certainly wasn’t meaningless.

While lacking in finishing firepower, City looked as well-drilled as ever and could’ve had the game wrapped up by half-time.

Despite fluffing a raft of late crosses, youngster Lleyton Brooks showed plenty in his fifth substitute appearance of the season, acting as Victory’s primary attacking outlet and scoring a late equaliser that won’t soon be forgotten.

Brooks’ recent performances will be giving manager-in-waiting Tony Popovic hope in an otherwise dire-looking rebuilding job.

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