Melbourne Victory have succumbed to yet another home defeat this season after Macarthur came from behind to beat them at AAMI Park and strengthen their position in the top six.
Below are our player ratings from the 2-1 win.
Melbourne Victory
Matt Acton - 6
Couldn't do much to stop either of Macarthur's two goals.
Leigh Broxham - 6
Macarthur had far more success down Victory's left than their right, which was testament to Broxham not leaving any space in behind. Is probably too conservative as a fullback though and he could have ventured forward more often.
Nick Ansell - 7
Susaeta's equaliser unfortunately deflected off of him for Macarthur's first. However, he was the last line of defence on many occasions, repelling many low crosses throughout.
Dylan Ryan - 7
Like Ansell, he made many crucial interventions, particularly in the early stages, by clearing dangerous crosses.
Brandon Lauton - 6
Left too much space in behind and looked lost as a left-back at the start, but grew in confidence as the game wore only showing that he wasn't afraid to drive forward and attack space when it presented itself.
Jake Brimmer - 5.5
It was the ex-Perth man that cheaply lost the ball in midfield, eventually leading to Macarthur's equaliser. He almost scored a marvellous long-range free-kick before halftime, but it hit the crossbar.
Jacob Butterfield - 7
Showed good vision by providing the out ball for Victory when they were under pressure in the first half. Seems like the only Victory player that can give them a sense of control in possession.
Lleyton Brooks - 6
The winger got close attention constantly from Meredith early on and couldn't turn at all. He teed up Gestede with an excellent low cross before halftime, and the striker should have scored.
Robbie Kruse - 6.5
Kruse drifted into wide areas to pick the ball up, and did to great effect in the first half. Probably should have scored before halftime after receiving a ball over the top by Broxham, but his finish was tame. His general attacking influence waned in the second half.
Elvis Kamsoba - 7.5
Found pockets of space in between the lines and on the half turn to good effect early on, and he scored a rare goal with a fantastic finish across Federici to open the scoring.
Rudy Gestede - 8
Showed absolutely superb awareness to flick the ball on to Kamsoba and set up the first goal. He should have scored just before halftime after getting on the end of a low Brooks' cross. Macarthur could not handle the ex-Aston Villa man's aerial presence as he held he ball up and was a threat at set-pieces on numerous occasions.
Substitutes:
Jay Barnett - 6
Tidy on the ball and played safe in possession.
Luis Lawrie-Lattanzio - 5
Struggled to secure the ball in the final third and deal with the pressure coming from behind by Macarthur's defenders.
Macarthur FC
Adam Federici - 6.5
Had no chance of stopping the opening goal by Kamsoba, but did make a superb save to deny Gestede from point blank range with ten minutes to go.
Jake McGing - 6
Was relatively solid throughout, and had a second half strike ruled out after his simple finish from close-range at a corner was disallowed due to a handball by Meredith in the build up.
Mark Milligan - 5
Struggled to deal with the height and physicality of Gestede throughout the game.
Aleksandar Šušnjar - 5.5
Gave away a few needless fouls in the first half, where Victory attackers had their backs to goal and were not threatening.
Lachlan Rose - 6.5
Formed a good relationship with Susaeta early on and found plenty of space in behind Lauton in the first half, but his final ball was lacking. It was a surprise to see him hooked at halftime.
Antonis Martis - 5
Didn't apply enough pressure on Victory's midfielders out of possession and preferred to sit in next to Beñat, when he might have had more of an influence by pushing further forward.
Beñat - 7
Was allowed plenty of time and space on the ball to pick his passes in the first half. Picked up two assists, first with a well wighted through ball to send Susaeta through to equalise, and then teeing up Meredith from a corner. He could have been a bit more adventurous with his passing, and also taken the opportunities to shoot when they presented themselves.
James Meredith - 7.5
The wing-back expertly marshalled Brooks in the first half, giving him absolutely no time and space. Scored the winner with a brilliant downward header from a corner which hit the post before going in.
Markel Susaeta - 8
The Spaniard found lots of space in behind Lauton early on and linked up well with Rose. He scored a deflected strike which went in off the post to equalise, and provided the star quality Macarthur have lacked recently.
Charles M'Mombwa - 6.5
Good movement off the ball in the final third throughout the game by drifting into the space vacated by Derbyshire, even if this was harder to do as Victory tighten things up defensively in the second half.
Matt Derbyshire - 6
The Englishman actually timed his runs into the box quite well for low crosses, but Victory's centre-backs were alert to the danger and cleared consistently. He seemed frustrated by his teammates not being on the same wavelength as him at times.
Substitutes:
Liam Rose - 6
The former Mariner made a couple of timely interventions defensively, but was lucky not to be booked for a succession of aggressive tackles.
Michael Ruhs - 4.5
Only saw him pop up down the right on a handful of occasions but did not contribute anything meaningful.
Moudi Najjar - 4
Barely involved in an ineffectual cameo.
Jake Hollman - 4
Seemed lost and gave the ball away too many times. Was also extremely uncomfortable on the ball.
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