A breakthrough 2-1 win over Adelaide United was the reward Melbourne Victory deserved after refusing to drop their heads under the pressure of a four-game winless run, says coach Arthur Diles.
Much-maligned striker Nikos Vergos started for the first time in four games and scored a brace, his first league goals since April, to deliver a pressure-relieving breakthrough at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
"It's a nice feeling. It's not so much relief, I assure you that it's not relief," Diles said.
"It's just a win and the one that the players deserve - and that's the most important thing tonight, that they go home with the reward that they've probably deserved and haven't gotten over the last few weeks."
For the opener, Victory's Jordi Valadon sliced the ball to the back post where an unmarked Vergos slid in to score in the 24th minute.
Vergos and his teammates ran to embrace Diles and his coaching staff in a clearly cathartic celebration in front of 9103 fans.
"I know we're together - I don't need that," Diles said.
"That's always nice to see the team celebrate together, that's for sure.
"But this group is very together, and during moments like this, it shows how together you are.
"And you can easily crumble, because there's massive expectation and things don't go your way - and they haven't done that. And credit to them."
Vergos nodded home a lovely Juan Mata ball in the 46th to double the lead, with the win setting up a fascinating derby against Melbourne City next Saturday.
"Today he showed his quality, and I expect that every week," Diles said.
"He got his chance today, he was due a chance, and he's worked ever so hard at training to turn things around, put a lot of work in the front third.
"I thought we could have been a little bit more clinical.
"But in the end, when that's been your Achilles heel for the last few weeks, to get two, I'll take that."
The Victory, who jump to 10th on the table, and Diles will hope the result can help revive their season.
Socceroo Nishan Velupillay made his first start this season and was lively, with Melbourne ruthless on the counter throughout.
Goalkeeper Jack Duncan delivered a huge one-handed save to tip Anselmo de Moraes' towering header to safety in the 63rd minute.
The exceptional Mata was inches away from one of the goals of the season in the 71st when he tried his luck from long range, before Joshua Smits turned the ball over the crossbar.
"Juan looked like he was enjoying himself out there," Diles said.
Adelaide jagged a goal back in the 86th when Craig Goodwin found Ben Folami who cut the ball back for Dylan Pierias to score.
Pierias nodded a header onto the woodwork in added time and Victory held on for dear life.
Coach Airton Andrioli lamented Victory appearing more desperate.
"They played a good game today under a lot of pressure," he said.
"They have come from some negative results, so credit to them as well, they made it very difficult for us."
United next face Perth away next Saturday and could be without defender Bart Vriends.
He will likely have scans after withdrawing in the ninth minute with a hamstring complaint he'd felt in the warm-up, then attempted to play through.
