Patrick Kisnorbo's charges dominated from the outset and arguably should have scored more than Zinedine Machach's cracking opener in the seventh minute and Adama Traore's goal in the 59th.
Musician Jack White, former frontman of The White Stripes, former Victory coach Kevin Muscat and Socceroos assistant Hayden Foxe were among those in the crowd as the home side dictated proceedings at AAMI Park on Sunday.
Victory were on the front foot from the outset and Perth's defence scrambled to block away shots from Machach, then Traore, in quick succession in the fifth minute.But they were made to look silly when Machach received the ball in midfield, burst forward, and with Perth's defence backing off, ripped a shot into the bottom corner.Â
That's why they call him Zizou! 🌟— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) Zinedine Machach picks the ball up on halfway, stands up the entire Perth Glory defence and picks out the bottom corner. �����.What a start for @gomvfc.Watch #MVCvPER live & exclusive on Paramount+. pic.twitter.com/dtvYEBMvNYDecember 8, 2024
Brendan Hamill, Nikos Vergos and Daniel Arzani all had chances to double Victory's lead as Melbourne had 15 shots to Perth's zero in the opening half but failed to capitalise on their dominance.
Victory kept the foot down after halftime and Machach curled a half-volley over the bar in the 54th minute.
Five minutes later, Victory doubled their lead.
Vergos brilliantly slipped through Traore, on his first start of the season with Kasey Bos sidelined, who coolly buried a first-time finish past Cameron Cook.
Josh Risdon curled Perth's first shot straight at Jack Duncan in the 64th minute and shortly after, Nathaniel Blair forced a decent save.
Perth skipper Adam Taggart had the ball in the back of the net in the 72nd minute but was offside.
Ice cold finish from the veteran ��— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) Traore's finish extends @gomvfc lead and puts them firmly in the drivers seat to pick up all 3�⃣ points this afternoon 🔥#MVCvPER is LIVE on Paramount+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/C0yPF0siRBDecember 8, 2024
Kisnorbo turned to Bruno Fornaroli and Jing Reec off the bench for Vergos and Arzani in the 76th minute - and had an animated chat with Arzani as he left the pitch.
Reec forced Cook to turn a venomous strike onto the bar in the 79th minute.
Jason Geria should have made it 3-0 in the 90th minute but inexplicably blasted a back-post tap-in over the bar.
Victory, two points behind leaders Auckland, now have the bye and return to action in the Christmas derby against Melbourne City on December 21, while 11th-placed Perth host Newcastle next Saturday.
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