Muscat Shows Coaching Credentials in Crazy Game.

It is said that coaches are judged the most at the start of their career. How they perform in the formative stages of their entry into management can define them for the rest of their career. An entire match, or even a single moment, can define their entire career. It can either make them, or indeed break them.

For Kevin Muscat that moment came in his fourth match in charge of Melbourne Victory and it was a moment and a performance from his charges that will be a highlight of his career, no matter how long or short that may be.

Has Muscat shown that he has what it takes?

The Kevin Muscat era has well and truly started as the coach managed to defy the odds when his Melbourne Victory side defeated Adelaide United 3-0 despite being down to 10 men for the entire second half.

Goals to Kosta Barbarouses, Archie Thompson and Mitch Nichols were overshadowed by an Adrian Leijer red card just before half time and the crazy events that followed it.

While everybody knew that Muscat would one day take charge of the club he finished his career at, nobody predicted it would come so soon and so early in this season. A first up victory was somewhat soured with two losses on the trot and up against one of the clubs' big rivals the stage was set for Muscat to really announce his entry into the coaching ranks, and he certainly did that.

Victory looked in control of the match leading into half time; they were in front courtesy of Barbarouses' goal after 14 minutes and had their chances to go further in front. That was until Adrian Leijer picked up his second yellow card for the evening and it looked like the self-destruct button was slammed down in the Victory camp.

As the former captain made his way off the field the Victory squad erupted with anger at referee Ben Williams with Leigh Broxham getting a yellow for dissent. That wasn’t the end of the madness however with substitute Nick Ansell picking up a yellow as he stepped onto the field before he was allowed and the man who came off for him, James Troisi, made his dismay for being subbed off clear as he looked to march down the sheds before Muscat intervened.

What looked like a promising evening for Victory quickly turned sour. A man down with 45 minutes to play wasn’t the scenario Victory wanted. Adelaide looked to penetrate the Melbourne defence in the second half to no avail, that was until they were awarded a penalty the 65th minute.

Everybody in the stadium thought this was the moment Adelaide would go on with it and take advantage of the extra man.

That wasn’t the case as Victory ‘keeper Nathan Coe kept out the effort from Sergio Cirio with a strong save to his left. Any chance Adelaide had in getting back into the game evaporated at that moment as Victory went straight up the other end and scored through an Archie Thompson tap-in.

The unlikely result for Melbourne was rubber stamped in the 75th minute when Mitch Nichols made it three as he went past Eugene Galekovic to place the ball into an empty net.

Muscat heaped the praise on his players after the match, admiring the team unit coming together to get the three points.

“The effort was tremendous in the second half," said Muscat.

"I don’t want to win games on effort. Tonight the effort was superb. We won as a team tonight.”

It wouldn’t be a Muscat presser without a subtle dig at the officialdom. Tonight was no different with the gaffer describing the events leading to the Ansell yellow card as "shambolic" and seriously questioning the decision to award the Adelaide penalty.

"The referee made a decision, I think we were fortunate that the decision didn't affect the result."

Muscat joined a growing list of people who have accused Adelaide's Jeronimo Nuemann of diving, stating the the contact made in the penalty was minimal.

"If we use the word simulation, it would be an understatement."

For Adelaide coach Josep Gombau it was more points dropped in what has been a disappointing start to the season but if he is feeling the pressure he certainly wasn't letting it show.

"I am worried more for the fans than I am for myself and for the team. I am not worried because I think we are on the way."

"The players believe but we are losing. We are improving everyday."

Despite only having one win to show from the start of the season Gombau has no intention on changing his much talked about game plan.

"This is my way, I don't change nothing. This is what I learn from Barcelona and this is what I do."

For Muscat it was a lot for a coach to deal with so early in his career. A senior player sent off, some crazy scenes so close to half time, playing 45 minutes with a man down, what appeared to be a player dispute with Troisi and a penalty against you just for good measure.

Muscat, and Victory managed to work through all of this to grab a memorable win.

Melbourne Victory 1. Nathan COE (GK), 2. Pablo CONTREAS, 3. Adama TRAORE, 5. Mark MILLIGAN (C), 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 9. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10. Archie THOMPSON, 14. James TROISI, 15. Mitch NICHOLS, 16. Rashid MAHAZI, 23. Adrian LEIJER

Subs 20, Lawrence THOMAS (GK), 4. Nick ANSELL, 7. Gui FINKLER, 11. Connor PAIN, 24. Scott GALLOWAY

Adelaide United 1. Eugene GALEKOVIC (C) (GK), 3. Nigel BOOGARD, 5. Osama MALIK, 6. CASSIO, 7. Jeronimo NEUMANN, 8. ISAIAS, 9. Sergio CIRIO, 10. Marcello CARRUSCA, 18. Michael ZULLO, 21. Tarek ELRICH, 22. Fabio FERRIRA

Subs 30. John HALL (GK), 11. Bruce DJITE, 13. Steven LUSTICA, 17. Awer MABIL, 23 Jordan ELSEY