Melbourne City emerged on top of the A-League table after an eight-game Matchweek 18 came to its conclusion on Wednesday night.
City drew with Macarthur FC on Saturday, April 24. The result sent Patrick Kisnorbo's side one point above both Central Coast Mariners - who took just one point from games against Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar - and the Sky Blues, who drew level with the Mariners after notching four points from two games in Matchweek 18.
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A revitalised Melbourne Victory will aim to put a dent in Sydney FC s bid to defend the A-League Premiers Plate in Tuesday night s Big Blue in Kogarah.
The Sky Blues have the chance to move within touching distance of the top of the ladder as Steve Corica s side seek an unprecedented fifth Premiership but struggling Victory showed signs of turning the corner during Saturday s breathless 5-4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.
After being served up a 7-0 hammering by crosstown rivals Melbourne City two weeks ago, the Navy Blue clinched their fourth win in 17 games this season following the departure of former head coach Grant Brebner, a result that lifted them off the foot of the table.
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Jamie Maclaren scored five goals in Melbourne City s 7-0 mauling of Melbourne Victory in the standout fixture of Matchweek 17.
Brisbane Roar kicked off the Matchweek with a 2-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers, before Central Coast Mariners Mariners lost 1-0 to Western United on Saturday afternoon, allowing City to jump into top spot on the A-League table on Saturday night.
Sunday saw a triple-header take place, with Adelaide coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Sydney FC at Leichhardt Oval and Newcastle Jets tying with Macarthur FC by the same margin.
Matchweek 17 concluded with a 3-1 Wellington Phoenix win over Perth Glory away from home - a result which helped Ufuk Talay s side stick tight to Western United and Roar as the three sides placed seventh to ninth continue to push for a place in the top six.
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Melbourne Victory are on the lookout for a new coach after Grant Brebner was let go following Saturday night s Melbourne Derby hammering at the hands of Melbourne City.
Victory were thumped 7-0 by their bitter rivals and it proved the last straw for the club s powerbrokers, opting to part ways with Brebner after the match.
The news was confirmed at the post-match press conference, with Victory chairman Anthony Di Pietro confirming Brebner s contratc had been terminated by mutual consent. Grant, myself, our Chief Executive and Board members have met and we ve come to the agreement that Grant will no longer be the coach of Melbourne Victory, Di Pietro said.
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Early in season 2020/21, it was Alou Kuol doing the business off the bench as Central Coast Mariners rose to the top.
But along Melbourne City s recent rise, teenage talent Marco Tilio has emerged as the latest super-sub leaving his mark on the A-League after a series of impactful cameos.
Tilio appeared off the bench in the 63rd minute of City s 7-0 Melbourne Derby win over Melbourne Victory in Matchweek 17. It was 2-0 at the time, as Tilio came on for Craig Noone. Half an hour and five goals later, City were on top of the table having notched a seven-goal win over their biggest rivals.