United draw in top of table classic

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.

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.

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.

City, though, responded late in the first half via Connor Metcalfe, seizing the momentum, before levelling through talisman Jamie Maclaren in the 66th minute.

“I think in the second half we dominated completely,” said Melbourne City boss Patrick Kisnorbo.

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.

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”.

Numbers swelled by free entry for City members, the 8127 in attendance was the second-largest home crowd in United’s history.

“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.

“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.”

Chief among their missed opportunities, City had two chances cleared off the line by some desperate defending.

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.

Retaining top spot, City will now prepare to meet Melbourne Victory this weekend.

United who have two games in hand over City, travel to face Sydney FC at the same time as the Melbourne derby.

– BY JOEY LYNCH/ AAP