Melbourne City 5 Adelaide United 0: Budzinksi Vidosic braces inspire emphatic win
Teenager Atkinson was taken off on a stretcher deep into the second half after landing awkwardly on his ankle, with several team-mates and opponents looking visibly distressed as he required oxygen.
By that point, City were already 2-0 up and cruising, with Polish midfielder Budzinski playing a starring role, breaking the deadlock after half an hour with a deflected long-range strike.
His second arrived a few minutes later, as he stabbed in from close range after seeing an initial effort saved.
Atkinson was forced off with quarter of an hour to go after nearly 10 minutes of medical attention, the hosts going on to win comfortably despite that blow.
89' | GOOALL CITYY!!
There's the icing on the cake! Dario Vidosic with a STUNNING volley to make it 3-0! That had us like #MCYvADL
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) January 21, 2018
Vidosic's brilliant double soon followed, producing a stunning volley from the right side of the penalty area and then stroking a well-placed 20-yard finish into the bottom-right corner.
Substitute Ross McCormack wrapped things up late on with a brilliant 30-yard strike, as City moved above local rivals Melbourne Victory.
90+6' | GOALL CITY
It's no party if Ross the Boss isn't on the list! What a strike, what a goal, another !!! 5-0 #MCYvADL pic.twitter.com/Bn8uYwH22s
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) January 21, 2018