It’s been more than six years since Melbourne Victory have beaten Newcastle at Hunter Stadium, but Kevin Muscat still baulks at any suggestions of a hoodoo.
A 75th-minute David Carney strike consigned the A-League champions to their eighth straight defeat at the venue.
The Victory coach, who was still playing for the side the last time they prevailed at Newcastle in 2009, was adamant history did not affect his team’s mentality during the clash.
“I don’t believe in it,” Muscat said.
“You can suggest all you please but I truly don’t believe in it. Our performance didn’t warrant to get beaten tonight.
“So if you want to analyse the result that’s one thing. If you analyse the performance, we were the better football team.”
Victory were the more dominant side throughout the frustrating deadlock littered with defensive errors, promising build-up play and some genuinely appalling finishing.
They held the larger share of possession, yet the much-improved Jets were rewarded for the mettle they have demonstrated in every match so far this season.
It’s the first time Victory have lost since Newcastle defeated them by the same scoreline in April’s shock 1-0 reversal at AAMI Park.
The Jets also have the highest win rate against the long-time heavyweights of any team in the competition.
Muscat said his side should have won but also expressed disappointment about the players’ profligacy when it came to converting chances – they had 21 shots on goal while the hosts had 12.
“We were camped in their half for long periods of time and the onus was on us to find a way to score.
“We created enough of those situations where we could create that dominance into a good chance, and when we did we didn’t take it.
“It’s something we’re going to have to work on obviously, but I was pretty pleased apart from the result.”
Newcastle coach Scott Miller paid respect to the champions but was glad the Hunter fortress remained unconquered.
“Our mentality is that anyone who travels to Newcastle must find it difficult to play here,” he said.
“That’s testament to the culture and values of Newcastle people, they demand that.
“And I think we’ve certainly shown them.”
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