22 Dec "Today looks like football": Victory upset City in high-pressure derby

Pressure has been eased on under-fire Melbourne Victory coach Marco Kurz after a vital 2-1 derby win against Melbourne City in Saturday.

It was only Victory’s third win of the season and came at the perfect time against a City side that has largely impressed throughout the first part of the season.

Captain Ola Toivenan opened the scoring after a pin-point Andrew Nabbout cross before the Swedish striker doubled Victory’s lead just before half time, capitalising on a City defensive error.

City defender Harrison Delbridge gave his side some hope but Victory were largely in control for much of the second half, missing a number of guilt-edge chances to increase their lead in the pressure-cooker derby.

“Today looks like football,” Victory coach Marco Kurz said after the game.

“It was the way we, what the players wanted to invest in the game, as a team to be stronger than the opponent.

“It comes back to the lightness, the result was very good, the way we played was fantastic.

"The only mistake was we didn’t score a third goal after 50 minutes, it would be finished.

“We must keep going, work hard, to have more of these kinds of moments. I believed in the boys the whole time.

“We must play consistently this way. The win is helpful but we have to perform.”

Victory next face Newcastle Jets at home after a bye next week while City face Sydney FC at Jubilee Oval in a top-of-the-table clash.