Tim Cahill had Etihad Stadium rocking on Saturday night when he sent a screamer flying into the back of the net to give City a 1-0 lead in the Melbourne derby. 

Despite repeated warnings from police and the soccer clubs that fans behave themselves, four fans were arrested and 13 evicted from Etihad Stadium overnight.

Tim Cahill made his long-awaited A-League debut as the two Melbourne clubs squared off in this early-season fixture.

Tim Cahill has made many debuts since his professional career took him to the four corners of the world to play at the highest level in Europe, North America and Asia.

Tim Cahill is relishing the chance to play against Melbourne Victory.

Tim Cahill will be under more scrutiny than any player ever has been in an A-League game when he makes his official debut for Melbourne City on Saturday night in the first Melbourne derby of the season.

Melbourne wants its A-League crowd record back, and Victory coach Kevin Muscat says a derby date at the MCG will make it happen.

Melbourne City have shaken off a second-half red card and battled to a gritty 1-0 win over the Phoenix in their A-League season opener at Wellington's Westpac Stadium.

Former Australian international Neil Kilkenny reckons the English FA, reeling from the shock of the Sam Allardyce sting and claims of rampant bungs within the game, has a simple solution to the England team's woes.

Is the integrity of the A-League being compromised by the FFA's failure to have bye weekends around international fixtures?

Tim Cahill's signature has ensured that much of the hype and hoopla around the new A-League season has been centred on Melbourne City.

Melbourne City will give a home debut to Socceroo star Tim Cahill and a competitive first outing to new Danish defender Michael Jakobsen when they take on Western Sydney Wanderers in the FFA Cup quarter-final at AAMI Park on Wednesday night.

Canberra Stadium has emerged as a potential venue for an FFA Cup blockbuster if Canberra Olympic secures a fixture against Socceroos legend Tim Cahill next month.

Socceroo Tim Cahill has made his first senior club appearance in Australian football, coming on as 64th-minute substitute in Melbourne City's 2-1 victory over Brisbane Strikers in the FFA Cup round of 16.

• UPDATED

By Ben McKay

Melbourne City are preparing to hand Socceroos great Tim Cahill a debut, possibly off the bench, in Wednesday night's FFA Cup tie against Brisbane Strikers.

Melbourne City defender Ivan Franjic has been ruled out for an indefinite period after suffering a virus during the pre-season, the club said in a statement released on Tuesday night.

Tim Cahill reveals a frank text message from his 11-year-old son finally convinced him to bring his family back to Australia.

• ANALYSIS

Tim Cahill is not the biggest signing in Australian domestic football history. But, he could well be the most important.

Tim Cahill will finally play in the A-League, with Melbourne City confirming the Socceroos' leading goal scorer has signed a two-year playing contract.

Tim Cahill or not, Melbourne City have secured a route to goals by signing up Bruno Fornaroli as a marquee for three seasons.

Pictures of Socceroos superstar Tim Cahill at New York City's training base appear to confirm that he will join A-League club Melbourne City this season.

Last season's A-League strugglers Central Coast have started the new campaign in ignominious fashion, suffering a 2-1 FFA Cup defeat to semi-professional Melbourne club Green Gully.

Tim Cahill's anticipated arrival at Melbourne City remains a sensitive topic, but the A-League title hopefuls are happy to talk about Bruno Fornaroli.

Melbourne City's rebuilding before the A-League season has gathered pace, with former Socceroo Neil Kilkenny joining on a two-year deal.

Australia's all-time leading goalscorer is finally set to play in the A-League.

Melbourne City have become the first A-League club to sign a sponsorship deal with a rival car manufacturer since Football Federation Australia lifted its restrictions on such deals.

The breakout star of last season's A-League, Bruno Fornaroli, is back in training with Melbourne City but is yet to sign a new deal.

Melbourne City set to ramp-up their pursuit of Tim Cahill following the transfer of their marquee Aaron Mooy.