Newcastle has pulled off one of the boilovers of the A-League Women’s (ALW) season with a stunning 3-1 victory over leaders Melbourne City.

The Victorians had been in ominous form despite being without first-choice midfielders Laura Hughes and Leah Davidson through injury.

But, they couldn’t handle the Jets’ aggressive pressing and lethal counter-attack as the visitors claimed a deserved victory at AAMI Park on Friday 16 January, snapping Melbourne’s four-game winning streak.

It was also Newcastle’s first win over the ALW powerhouse since City joined the league in 2015.

New Zealand import Kelli Brown fired the Jets in front in the 32nd minute.

However, Holly McNamara equalised following a controversial penalty soon after.

But, the Jets pounced on another City error to reclaim the lead through Libby Copus-Brown in the 66th minute.

Charlotte Lancaster wrapped up the three competition points in quick succession.

Newcastle leaps to fifth while Melbourne remains on top, a point ahead of second-placed Canberra with a game in hand.

Both teams had plenty of chances in the opening half-hour, with City goalkeeper Malena Mieres and Jets counterpart Anna Leat kept busy.

Stephen Hoyle’s side took a deserved lead just after the half-hour mark when, under pressure, City skipper Rebekah Stott sold Taylor Otto into trouble and the ball was nipped away by Alexis Collins.

It then fell to Melina Ayres, who nudged the ball back into Collins’ path.

Mieres closed her down and made a great save, but it went straight into the path of Brown, who converted for a 1-0 advantage.

For the City penalty, fringe Matildas defender Tash Prior was harshly ruled to have handballed an Aideen Keane cross, though her arm appeared tucked into her body when it was struck.

Making the situation even worse was referee Page Malau-Aduli yellow-carding the Jet for dissent.

Leat dived the right way, but McNamara coolly fired an unreachable spot-kick into the top corner to draw level 1-all.

If the A-League Women’s competition ever wants to be taken seriously, then the powerbrokers must introduce the VAR system to enhance its professionalism.

Unlike the men’s encounters, the video assistant referee isn’t utilised in the ALW.

However, it was required on this occasion.

Thankfully, Newcastle regained the lead when Mieres was playing out from the back and attempted to pass to Karly Roestbakken, only for Copus-Brown to nip in, steal possession and score.

Five minutes later, the Jets broke down the left and Ayres brilliantly backheeled the ball into the path of Lancaster, who beat Mieres with a scintillating strike.

Lancaster nearly made it four when she hit the woodwork.

Newcastle, after beating Sydney FC 2-1 in a midweek clash, next faces Adelaide United at No. 2 Sportsground on Wednesday 21 January.

• With AAP

For more sports stories:

• Momentum takes flight for Jets ahead of final run
• Clough brings a seasoned touch to Jets’ midfield
• Super sub fires Jets to ALW comeback win over Sky Blues

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