Newcastle Jets have managed to lift themselves to eighth place on the table with a hard-earned win over Melbourne City, who will leave Newcastle extremely frustrated.
It was a back-and-forth first half but neither could find the net as they went into the tunnels scoreless.
Then in the second half, the entire game opened up.
The Newcastle Jets won a spot kick early in the half after a handball in the Melbourne City box, and Milos Trifunovic found the net with ease and class.
Things went from bad to worse for Melbourne City shortly after, as Jacob Melling was given a red card for a foul that the referee thought stopped a certain goal.
Trifunovic was the star man up front again afterwards, scoring off the end of a fantastic Jets counter attack.
All hope was not lost for City, as Bruno Fornaroli set up his own brilliant goal to bring one back for the visitors.
However, Newcastle would hold on to get the upset, and send their fans home happy.
The final score from Hunter Stadium, Newcastle Jets two, Melbourne City one.
The Newcastle Jets are playing for pride when they host third-placed Melbourne City at Hunter Stadium. Join The Roar from 5pm (AEDT) for live scores and commentary of this A-League fixture.
Despite losing 1-nil to Adelaide United in their last fixture, Newcastle left the City of Churches with plenty of positives, considering the 6-1 thrashing suffered at the hands of the Perth Glory the week prior.
The Jets started out strong, however they struggled to find the opening they were after, with another frustrating performance from Milos Trifunovic.
Newcastle suffered a huge blow during the week, losing key man David Carney to Sydney FC. However, they will be boosted by Nigel Boogaard’s return from suspension.
Melbourne City were on the wrong end of a stunning 4-3 result against the top-of-the-table Western Sydney Wanderers in their last fixture, where City showed how much heart they really had.
Bruno Fornaroli has a great chance to extend his scoring run against a struggling Jets defence, the Uruguayan leads the goal-scorer’s board with 14.
The last times these two sides faced off was in December, when Aaron Mooy and Fornaroli both found the net twice to give Melbourne City an emphatic 4-nil win.
City are big favourites, however despite poor results, Newcastle have been starting off games at a pace, and Melbourne will need to be careful not to get caught on the back foot.
If Melbourne can survive the first 20 minutes of the game without conceding, they should cruise to victory over the next 70.
Prediction
Newcastle Jets 1-4 Melbourne City
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Well done Jets but that was an embarrassing display by us. Except for Bruno's goal. They just wanted it too badly.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you for joining me on The Roar for this live blog!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: Newcastle Jets 2 - 1 Melbourne City Newcastle Jets have managed to lift themselves to eighth place on the table with a hard-earned win over Melbourne City, who will leave Newcastle extremely frustrated. It was a back-and-forth first half but neither could find the net as they went into the tunnels scoreless. Then in the second half, the entire game opened up. The Newcastle Jets win a spot kick early in the half after a handball in the Melbourne City box, and Milos Trifunovic found the net with ease and class. Things went from bad to worse for Melbourne City shortly after, as Jacob Melling was given a red card for a foul that the referee thought stopped a certain goal. Trifunovic was the star man up front again afterwards, scoring off the end of a fantastic Jet's counter attack. All hope was not lost for City, as Bruno Fornaroli set up his own brilliant goal to bring one back for the visitors. However, Newcastle would hold on to get the upset, and send their fans home happy. The final score from Hunter Stadium, Newcastle Jets two, Melbourne Heart one.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+4' - Franjic tries to lift the ball over for Mooy, but it ends up at the feet of Birighitti. He picks up the ball and kicks it away for full time. Newcastle have done it. NEWCASTLE JETS 2 - 1 MELBOURNE CITY
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Over the last couple of weeks the Jets have looked a far better outfit without Carney than with. Squad dynamics perhaps?
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+3' - Cowburn has kicked the ball away after a handball, and he is in the books for a yellow card. NEWCASTLE JETS 2 - 1 MELBOURNE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+2' - Newcastle doing well to draw the fouls, and waste more time. Just two more minutes is what their coach will be yelling. NEWCASTLE JETS 2 - 1 MELBOURNE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+1' - Birighitti gets his hands on the ball from a cross and he is no rush to kick this one down field. NEWCASTLE JETS 2 - 1 MELBOURNE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90' - Four minutes of time to be added on, which displeases the home fans. NEWCASTLE JETS 2 - 1 MELBOURNE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
88' - Franjic and Mooy looking for options but the Jets force them to start again. Newcastle moments away from a huge win, if they can hang on. NEWCASTLE JETS 2 - 1 MELBOURNE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
85' - Cooper comes off for Pavicevic in a Newcastle change. NEWCASTLE JETS 2 - 1 MELBOURNE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
83' - Melbourne City with high balls pushing forward, desperate for the equaliser. Newcastle will be embarrassed if that let this lead go! NEWCASTLE JETS 2 - 1 MELBOURNE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
80' - GOAL MELBOURNE! Fornaroli beats three players and find Fitzgerald, who feeds the ball in the air back to Fornaroli who can just head the ball past the keeper into the net. We could be in for a great finish to this game! NEWCASTLE JETS 2 - 1 MELBOURNE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
78' - Melbourne are very frustrated, and they seem to very exposed to the counter attack. Still, they push forward. NEWCASTLE JETS 2 - 0 MELBOURNE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
75' - Novillo tires to curl the ball into the top corner but it ends up in the hands of Birighitti. NEWCASTLE JETS 2 - 0 MELBOURNE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
74' - Ugarkovic gets a yellow card now for a late challenge. NEWCASTLE JETS 2 - 0 MELBOURNE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
72' - GOAL NEWCASTLE! The Jets get the ball and produce a counter attack that destroys City. Nordstrand gets the ball and finds Trifunovic with a picture perfect pass across goal who slots the ball past the keeper. Thats two for him and two for the Jets! NEWCASTLE JETS 2 - 0 MELBOURNE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
68' - Trifunovic has gone down in pain after trying to score from a follow up shot. Fair tackle by Sorenson, but Trifunovic is getting some attention on the field. NEWCASTLE JETS 1 - 0 MELBOURNE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
67' - Franjic finds himself with a yellow card for a late challenge. Melbourne City are getting frustrated. NEWCASTLE JETS 1 - 0 MELBOURNE CITY
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
66' - Sorenson also picked up a yellow card for his reaction to the red card. NEWCASTLE JETS 1 - 0 MELBOURNE CITY