Resurgent Newcastle upset reigning champions Melbourne City 1-0 to climb to fourth on the A-League Men’s (ALM) table at the weekend.
The Jets pinched the lead through Lachie Rose in the 67th minute and held on at AAMI Park to claim their second win on the bounce and their fourth victory in five matches.
Sixth-placed City have won just one game in their past six, scored only seven goals in 11 games, and also had to deal with racism allegations against youngster Medin Memeti.
He started on Sunday, two days after coach Aurelio Vidmar confirmed the 18-year-old wouldn’t be stood down while Football Australia investigates claims he racially abused Brisbane striker Justin Vidic.
Mark Milligan’s Jets were busy from the opening whistle.
Just two minutes in, dynamo Clayton Taylor forced a near-post save from Patrick Beach, who collected another Eli Adams attempt soon after.
In the 23rd, City’s Samuel Souprayen hit the post with a header.
Then two minutes later, Beach came to Melbourne’s rescue, denying Rose at point-blank range.
It was another impressive performance from the talented young City goalkeeper, in front of Socceroos assistant Hayden Foxe and goalkeeping coach Frank Juric.
In the 41st minute, Newcastle keeper James Delianov made a terrific save to deny Memeti before Andrew Nabbout tapped home.
But, it was ruled off-side.
After a lengthy VAR consultation, the offside call was upheld.
In the 48th minute, Mark Natta turned a dangerous Emin Durakovic cross to safety, preventing Nabbout, in his 200th game, from scoring a near-certain tap-in.
The Jets took the lead when City centre-back German Ferreyra dawdled in possession and Rose nipped in, pinching the ball and scoring.
The hosts kept pressing for an equaliser and Lawrence Wong turned a shot wide.
Melbourne appealed for a handball penalty without reward in the 84th minute.
In the 88th, Jets defender Joel Bertolissio broke away and had a chance to seal victory but smacked his shot off the crossbar.
City peppered Newcastle’s goal in the dying minutes without reward and the Jets held on.
The Jets next take on Western Sydney away on Saturday, after Melbourne hosts leaders Auckland at home on Friday.
For more sports stories:
- GALLERY… Dramatic final heat wraps up national skiff championships
- Players have their say: Denton Engineering Cup’s Top 25 revealed
- Newcastle’s Hull anchors Australia to gold at World Cross Country Championships
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
