Melbourne City crush Roar in historic away ALM win
Melbourne City won a club record fourth consecutive away A-League Men match of the season to down a dismal Brisbane Roar 4-1.
Midfielder and player of the match Andreas Kuen had his best game in City colours with a goal and two assists at Suncorp Stadium. Striker Yonatan Cohen scored a double and Steven Ugarkovic netted late to wrap up a deserved win.
The last-placed Roar were booed by their supporters after a club record sixth consecutive ALM loss at their home venue.
Kuen stole the ball from Roar veteran defender Scott Neville and scored with just 52 seconds on the clock.
The Austrian was on fire early with Kuen winning possession minutes later to almost put the visitors up by two.
Brisbane's defending, such an issue already this season, was pathetic again to concede the second.
Neville was once again beaten to the punch. Kuen sent in a slick cross and forward Cohen did the rest.
Only the post denied Cohen a second goal on the cusp of halftime after another Kuen cross.
Roar skipper Jay O'Shea, playing his 150th match in all competitions for the club, had three shots on goal in the first half with two of them going close. The Irishman, Roar's best player for years, did his best to give his team impetus but had too few mates to help him.
O'Shea was denied by the woodwork with a cracking 35m free kick in the second half that swung well beyond the dive of goalkeeper Patrick Beach.
Kuen again was sensational to weave past a multitude of Roar defenders to set up Cohen for his second after the break.
O'Shea nailed his 17th penalty from 18 attempts in the ALM to give the home side hope before Ugarkovic sealed the deal.
City moved temporarily into third position while the Roar will finish round six in last place with just one point.
"It was a good result," Ugarkovic told Paramount post-match.
"Andreas and Yonatan were both excellent and hopefully they can build on this."
O'Shea said the Roar's diabolical start was "the most disappointing thing".
"Giving away cheap goals was not good enough from us," he said.