The Uruguayan has been the outstanding player in the competition this season, scoring wonderful goals, creating opportunities for his teammates and defending from the front with a high workrate that puts defenders under pressure whenever he is in the vicinity.

Fornaroli's brace on Saturday night, one a delightful flick from a move he instigated with an audacious rabona-style pass, the other a deft header, brought his seasonal tally to 17. With seven more league fixtures remaining the odds are short that he will surpass the A-League record shared by Besart Berisha and Shane Smeltz, of 19 goals in a regular season.

With the Chinese transfer window open for almost another fortnight, it is not inconceivable that a bid could come from the cashed-up Chinese Super League. When asked about that possibility at the beginning of February, City coach John Van 't Schip shut down discussion quickly, saying that talk of more moves only encouraged speculation.

With the resources City have it should have no difficulty in keeping the talismanic Uruguayan in their line-up as long as he wants to remain in Australia.

Marquee man Robi Koren left early after a couple of very disappointing seasons so the club could simply elevate Fornaroli to that status. If Socceroos midfielder Aaron Mooy decides to go at the end of the season, as has been widely tipped, then elevating Fornaroli would not preclude City bringing in a big name marquee as well. Mooy occupies that position on his own at the moment following Koren's departure, and a club is allowed two.

Van 't Schip was generous in his praise of his striker after the match, saying the club was doing everything it could to retain his services.

"It's obvious we're very happy with Bruno and that he's delivering every game," van 't Schip said.

"Outside the goals you see the workrate he puts in and the energy he gives to the team. That's what we want.

"He's a player that of course we want to keep and reward. We'll certainly have a look into those kinds of things."

"Bruno is full of confidence, he is enjoying his game, he is giving everything to the team and the team is giving everything to him. The goal he made you can see how happy he is, but it was a class goal. The whole set-up was a good counter-attack with Anthony and Aron and the final chip from Bruno. The set-up from himself before that was very good. We all know we are very happy with him."

Van 't Schip brought in Alex Wilkinson, the Socceroos centre-back, to help shore up what has been one of the league's leakiest defences. Wilkinson, not surprisingly, could not last the 90 minutes but the Dutchman was happy enough with his performance on debut.

"In the first half he was very solid, important in his coaching, he was always in the right position. We knew he wouldn't last 90 minutes and he started cramping quite quickly after half-time. Hopefully now with another week ahead he can build up to playing longer."

The coach was also delighted with the effort of Mooy. The midfielder had been the mainstay of the team for much of the season, creating opportunities, taking almost every set-piece and weighing in with important goals. But his influence had waned slightly in recent weeks.

But in the derby atmosphere Mooy lifted. He ran and worked hard and competed physically, sliding in for challenges and tackles. He was also involved in the two City goals, providing the pass for Fornaroli's opening chip over Danny Vukovic, then firing in the free-kick from which Fornaroli stole in between three Victory defenders and headed home.

Mooy's great form earlier in the season made him a regular starter in Ange Postecoglou's Socceroos squad and if City are to finish the campaign strongly they need him to be in top form.

They also need new signing Anthony Caceres to stay on the pitch. The former Central Coast Mariners midfielder, bought by Manchester City and then loaned back to their Melbourne affiliate, was dismissed for the second time in two games. He was sent off against Western Sydney two weeks ago and suspended for the lost to Newcastle before returning against Victory.

"I have already had a word with him. He has to judge his tackles better," Van 't Schip said.

"The first one [yellow card] was a free-kick for him and he still got a yellow card, I thought it was very soft. The second one he was a bit late in his judgment. Again he has to be a bit more careful."

The Dutchman admitted Gui Finkler's "ghost goal" should have been given, but shrugged and said that in football the wrong decisions were sometimes made. This time his side was the clear beneficiary.