New York Red Bulls vs New York City FC. American MLS League.
Red Bull Arena (USA)Attendance25,218.
Monday 25 July 2016 10:32, UK
Bradley-Wright Phillips scored twice as the New York Red Bulls closed in on league-leading rivals New York City FC with a 4-1 win in Sunday's Hudson River derby.
Wright-Phillips opened (20) and finished the scoring (70) - bringing his haul against City to eight goals in six games - but a Ronald Zubar header and a penalty from the influential Sacha Kljestan had the hosts firmly in control by half-time.
Tommy McNamara struck spectacularly from range shortly before the interval (43) but the Red Bulls never looked like squandering a lead as they avenged a 2-0 derby defeat just three weeks ago to move to within two points of their neighbours at the top of the Eastern Conference.
City, who had boss Patrick Vieira sent to the stands in the first half and then saw Ethan White dismissed in the closing stages, had surged to the summit after five wins from six but a ragged display elevated only by McNamara's brilliance at times evoked memories of May's 7-0 drubbing at the hands of their city foes.
Wright-Phillips set the tone inside the opening minute, shrugging off his marker before firing across goal, while Kljestan - a constant menace - had a good chance at the back post (9) but miscued his half-volley,
Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo struggled for space as their hosts kept a high line but fellow former international David Villa should have broken the deadlock when he raced onto RJ Allen's ball over the top, the Spaniard dragging his shot wide.
Wright-Phillips showed far greater poise to make the breakthrough at the other end just minutes later, tucking beyond Josh Saunders at the end of a smart move that saw Kljestan control a Felipe knock-down and tap into the striker's path.
The Bulls doubled their lead just three minutes later, Kljestan's corner met firmly by Zubar, and a dishevelled City almost conceded a swift third when Frederic Brillant's scuffed back-pass let in Wright-Phillips again, Saunders this time spreading himself smartly.
But Brillant soon gaffed again - raising his hands against Alex Muyl - and Kljestan did make it three (41), sending Saunders the wrong way from the spot.
Vieira was dismissed by referee Mark Geiger after an angry reaction on the touchline and the only bright spot in a torrid first half came when McNamara cut inside, before finding the top corner from 25 yards.
The hosts began the second half with as much menace as they had started the first, Saunders forced to frantically back-track as Muyl's deep cross clipped his crossbar just moments after the restart.
Mike Grella called in vain for a penalty when he fell under Allen's challenge but while the Red Bulls continued to threaten, McNamara might have sparked an unlikely fightback had another long-ranger not this time hit the goalframe (59).
Brillant tripped over his own feet when Pirlo found him with a low corner but the hosts finally extended their lead when Wright-Phillips finished a route-one move, scampering onto a goal-kick that Muyl flicked forward, before holding off his marker, rounding Saunders and finding the bottom corner.
Lampard was booked for a tussle with Kljestan, before White saw red (89) as tensions rose, adjudged to have left a leg in on substitute Gonzalo Veron, but City had long lost the encounter and their rivals are now in hot pursuit.
