Nishan Velupillay came off the bench to score the winner as Melbourne Victory defeated Adelaide United 2-1 in a thrilling A-League encounter.
One of the fiercest rivalries in the A-League served up a treat on Saturday, as Victory came away with Original Rivalry spoils.
There was no shortage of action – the match seeing 35 goal attempts in total and an 88th-minute red card for Victory full-back Jason Davidson.
His dismissal for a second yellow-card offence came 10 minutes after Velupillay was teed up by fellow substitute Robbie Kruse to tap in from close range and decisively restore Victory s lead.
Francesco Margiotta put the visitors ahead in the 59th minute, but Adelaide had responded through Jacob Tratt 11 minutes later.
Melbourne s win ended a run of three A-League defeats to Adelaide and brought up their first win at the home of their rivals since January 2017.
CHAOS AT COOPERS
goals in the second half but it s that leave Adelaide with points and their first win at Coopers Stadium since 2017.
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen)
While Adelaide are still winless, Victory s success sees them move onto nine points in second place, behind Macarthur FC, who made it three wins on the bounce with a 2-0 triumph at Western Sydney Wanderers.
Tomislav Uskok and Jake Hollman got on the scoresheet for the league leaders, who are the only unbeaten team so far in 2021-22.
Bottom side Brisbane Roar s dismal start to the campaign continued in the early game, with Connor Pain s goal delivering a 1-0 win for Western United.
