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It was the usual suspects for the Reds with Marcos Flores and Sergio Van Dijk netting three of their four goals whilst Fabien Barbiero chipped in with another. Youngster Mate Dugandzic scored a consolation goal late in the match for Melbourne.
In an entertaining match Victory captain Kevin Muscat also saw red as he received his marching orders in the second half for a second bookable offense.
With the Socceroos preparing for their AFC Asian Cup campaign the Victory had to make do without in form striker Robbie Kruse who is away on international duty. However Melbourne were nonetheless happy to welcome home former Socceroo Danny Allsopp who returned to the Victory from the MLS.
It was to be a poor homecoming for Allsopp with the Reds dominating the majority of the match. Argentine midfielder Flores opened the scoring in the 12th minute for Adelaide as the playmaker smashed home following a crafty header across goal from Travis Dodd.
Despite heading into the half-time interval at only 1-0 down it was all to get worse for the Victory as Adelaide produced one of their best performances of the season to put three goals past Melbourne goalkeeper Michael Petkovic.
The highlight of the match was without a doubt Van Dijks swirling free kick in the 57th minute. The Dutchman’s left foot shot came from over 30metres out and will surely be a contender for goal of the season.
In a fiery encounter the two bitter rivals were no strangers to confrontation with Muscat being sent off in the 65th minute due to a swinging arm that caught Adelaide’s Adam Hughes and another scuffle started after Melbourne’s Evan Berger kneed Red’s import Francisco Usucar.
Substitute Barbiero added a third for Adelaide with his first touch of the game in the 74th minute when he latched on to Ian Fyfe’s rebounded effort and the Reds scored their fourth only moments later when Van Dijk capitalised on some defensive errors to score his 13th goal of the season.
Dugandzic’s goal in the final moments of injury time proved to be no more than a consolation for Victory fans whose side now faces a tense battle to cement a top six finish.