Victory, City fight out dramatic ALM derby draw

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Victory, City fight out dramatic ALM derby draw

Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City have fought out a dramatic and fiery 2-2 derby draw to remain firmly lodged in a cluster of teams jostling for an A-League Men top-two spot.

Marco Tilio gave City the lead in the fifth minute but a contentious penalty allowed Zinedine Machach to equalise in first-half added time.

In-form Brazilian winger Santos put Victory in front in the 48th minute, before Kai Trewin levelled from the penalty spot in the 70th.

Victory sit third on the table with 29 points, one ahead of Western Sydney and City, whose winless run in derbies extends to eight games.

Victory suffered a blow before the opening whistle when Brendan Hamill was a late withdrawal, with recruit Lachlan Jackson making his first start.

City capitalised on some haphazard Victory defending to score a wonderful opener.

Max Caputo took a good touch on the side of the 18-yard box and whipped the ball across goal.

Mat Leckie cleverly dummied to allow the ball to pass by him to an unmarked Tilio to lash home.

In the 21st minute, Langerak made a big save to deny Kavian Rahmani from close range.

Trewin was potentially lucky to escape with a yellow card in the 44th minute after catching Santos with his studs.

Late drama allowed Victory to equalise.

Santos forced a big save from Patrick Beach and when Nikos Vergos attempted to pounce on the loose ball, Germain clipped his heel and Vergos hit the deck.

But after a VAR referral, referee Jonathan Barreiro reviewed the incident and awarded a penalty, which Machach converted.

Shortly after the break, Santos burst forward, leaving Aziz Behich in his wake, played a one-two with Jordi Valadon then rifled a wonderful strike past Beach.

City wanted Victory skipper Roderick Miranda sent off when he shoved Andreas Kuen and caught the playmaker in the face on 54 minutes.

Both players were carded, while Kuen was potentially lucky not to pick up a second yellow when he knocked over Miranda off the ball shortly after.

City earned a penalty when Miranda legged Behich inside the box.

Surprisingly, the Victory skipper didn’t receive a second yellow card, but Trewin coolly buried the spot kick to make for a tense finish.

Victory next travel to face Brisbane on Saturday while City face Wellington away on Friday.

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