Tim Cahill has apologised for swearing at A-League referee Chris Beath during last weekend's fiery Melbourne derby, acknowledging his behaviour hurt the game.

Tim Cahill will have to serve a one-match A-League ban on Saturday night when his side entertain Brisbane Roar, even though the bizarre red card he received from referee Chris Beath in last weekend's Melbourne derby was probably given in error.

Tim Cahill is used to making headlines and breaking records in Australian soccer.

It's when a team faces adversity that we really find out just what it is made of.

Anyone having a bet on the race for the A-League golden boot could be forgiven for focusing on the top two strikers who will face off on Saturday night in the third Melbourne derby of the season.

Melbourne City coaching staff are hopeful that marquee man Tim Cahill will be fit to take his place against local rivals Melbourne Victory in the third A-League derby of the season next Saturday night.

Defensive stability and more confidence in front of goal are the priorities for newly confirmed Melbourne City boss Michael Valkanis as he prepares for a challenging match against Newcastle.

Melbourne City interim coach Michael Valkanis can be pleased enough with his results so far: two wins out of three and the latter an unlucky defeat in Adelaide when the champions scored a last gasp winner against the run of play.

It is difficult to overstate the role John Van 't Schip played in the history of the team that started out as Melbourne Heart and then became Melbourne City.

Melbourne City have a task to overcome the shock loss of coach John van 't Schip when they play Western Sydney on Friday night, but their new boss says they're up to it.

John van 't Schip has stepped down as coach of Melbourne City, effective immediately, to return to The Netherlands to contribute to the palliative care of his father.

Tim Cahill has shown he's a good sport after being the butt of a New Year's prank by a ballboy which is drawing worldwide attention.

Football Federation Australia will review Luke Brattan's New Year's Eve head knock to determine whether A-League concussion protocols had been adhered to.

When the most financially challenged team in the league meets the plutocrats of the competition there is almost always one outcome -  the wealthy are the winners.

Bruno Fornaroli has scored a dramatic late penalty to deny struggling Central Coast a famous New Year's Eve victory over A-League giants Melbourne City.

When you are owned by one of the richest football groups in the world it certainly helps prepare the ground for success.

The euphoria of winning their first ever silverware has worn off for Melbourne City.

Melbourne City captain Bruno Fornaroli says his A-League teammates have suffered an FFA Cup hangover but the time to recover is now.

South Melbourne has upped the ante in its bid to win one of the first licenses when the A League expands by saying it has targeted Brazilian soccer legend Roberto Carlos to become its coach if the club  gets the go ahead to joint the competition.

Western Sydney's stunning 2-1 comeback win over Melbourne City a W-League upset for the ages.

Tim Cahill might have landed himself in hot water after revealing a possible breach of Football Federation Australia's strict anti-sports corruption protocols by using his mobile phone during a match. 

• ANALYSIS

With almost half the A-League season gone the two Melbourne clubs sit in the top four on the ladder and are poised to push on in a challenge to runaway leaders Sydney over the Christmas and New Year break.

Besart Berisha is poised to overtake Archie Thompson as the A-League's leading scorer. But is he the better player?

Matt Simon faces suspension for shouldering Melbourne City defender Michael Jakobsen in the head after the A-League's match review panel issued the Sydney FC striker with a show-cause notice.

A day after Melbourne City's bubble finally burst, struggling Melbourne Victory couldn't muster a first win of the season.

Sydney FC defender Rhyan Grant has questioned the culture at Melbourne City following a controversial incident involving City's Fernando Brandan on Friday night.

Record TV audiences flock to the A-League as crowds begin to stall in Sydney.

Football Federation Australia has accepted Bruno Fornaroli's apology for his FFA Cup final F-bomb and issued him with a public reprimand.

There are three Australians on the books at Manchester City. But Aaron Mooy, Luke Brattan and Anthony Caceres are unlikely to have penetrated the consciousness of the average City fan.