Victory secure Big Blue win over Sydney

Besart Berisha scored a brace as Melbourne Victory claimed a dramatic 4-2 Big Blue A-League derby win over Sydney FC in a high-quality contest at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

Source: AAP

The Grand Final replay had everything - goals, cards, passion and both sides leaving nothing out there on the pitch.

With the scores locked at 2-all at half-time, it was the Sky Blues who came out the stronger after the interval, only to suffer a genuine sucker punch goal, scored by Kosta Barbarouses in the 68th minute.

Gui Finkler's attempted shot on goal fell kindly to Barbarouses, who made no mistake and fired home for the visitors to give them a 3-2 lead.

Berisha then added his second-goal of the match in the 92nd minute, which iced the win and moved Kevin Muscat's side into third place on the ladder.

The Big Blue derby started in dramatic fashion with both sides scoring in the first 10 minutes.

Sydney FC's overseas marquee play Filip Holosko got things going for his side in the opening stages of the match, after benefitting from some great lead-up work from defender Alex Gersbach, who got his first start of the season.

But the Sky Blues' joy was shortlived and as usual, Victory turned to their star striker Besart Berisha, who produced a delighful strike from just outside the edge of the box.

Despite some confusion, referee Chris Beath eventually and correctly ruled a goal, after conversing with his sideline official.

Graham Arnold's side hit back though on 20 minutes via their captain Alex Brosque, who turned in Victory goalkeeper Danny Vukovic's parried save, to regain the lead for the hosts.

But in a topsy-turvy opening-half, Finkler restored parity for the visitors just seven minutes later, after beating Sydney goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic at his near-post from an acute angle.

Ten minutes into the second stanza and Sydney striker Shane Smeltz almost put his side back in front, after a questionable Matthieu Delpierre pass, but his first touch deserted him at the vital moment.

The Sky Blues then went as close as you can without scoring, with Smeltz's diving header hitting the left post of the Victory goal, while Matt Jurman follow-up effort cannoned into the right post.

But Sydney were left to rue their missed chances, as Victory caught the hosts on the counter through Barbarouses and then Berisha pounched to seal it.

Sydney FC 2 (Holosko 5', Brosque 20')

Melbourne Victory 4 (Berisha 9', 90+2, Finkler 28', Barbarouses 68')

Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Referee: Chris Beath