A-League: Velupillay settles thriller as Melbourne Victory edge out Adelaide United

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 @gomvfc that leave Adelaide with points and their first win at Coopers Stadium since 2017.#ADLvWSW #WeAreALeagues @IsuzuUTE pic.twitter.com/LHZ4LynZ3A

— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) December 11, 2021

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.