WESTERN United survived a furious second-half push from Melbourne City to hold on for a 2-2 draw in their heavyweight A-League Men showdown last Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n
With City going into the game at AAMI Park on top of the ladder from United on goal difference alone, a winner would have seized the advantage in the race for the premiers’ plate.<\/p>\n
Initially it appeared that United would run away with the game courtesy of goals from Leo Lacroix and Rene Krhin in the opening half-hour.<\/p>\n
City, though, responded late in the first half via Connor Metcalfe, seizing the momentum, before levelling through talisman Jamie Maclaren in the 66th minute.<\/p>\n
“I think in the second half we dominated completely,” said Melbourne City boss Patrick Kisnorbo.<\/p>\n
Befitting its status as a potential grand final preview, the first half provided a frenetic spectacle as both teams attempted to move the ball rapidly and displayed clear attacking intent.<\/p>\n
That then gave way to a second stanza in which United’s league-leading defence was forced to batten down the hatches and survive a furious onslaught from City’s potent attack, surrendering the lead but still doing enough to earn what coach John Aloisi called a “positive point”.<\/p>\n
Numbers swelled by free entry for City members, the 8127 in attendance was the second-largest home crowd in United’s history.<\/p>\n
“You know our fan base is only two years old so that’s going to grow,” Aloisi said. “Hopefully they come back because they saw some great football.<\/p>\n
“Tactically, it was a very good game and on top of that, it was exciting. We had four goals and the fans made the atmosphere as well.”<\/p>\n
Chief among their missed opportunities, City had two chances cleared off the line by some desperate defending.<\/p>\n
Josh Risdon blocked an Andrew Nabbout effort moments before Lacroix’s 14th-minute opener and the Swiss defender then denied Curtis Good early in the second.<\/p>\n
Retaining top spot, City will now prepare to meet Melbourne Victory this weekend.<\/p>\n
United who have two games in hand over City, travel to face Sydney FC at the same time as the Melbourne derby.<\/p>\n