Melbourne City have thrown some pedestrian form and an up and down week out the window to steal a valuable win in Newcastle.
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Final score
Newcastle Jets 1
Melbourne City 2
The Newcastle Jets, flying high after 8 rounds, welcome the second Victorian opponent in two weeks, as Melbourne City come to town to try and reverse a recent slump. Join The Roar at 7:50pm for live scores and updates.
On paper, the battle of second vs third actually looks like a close tussle. In reality, while that should indeed be the case, it is not for the reasons you might think.
Newcastle were, in a word, sensational last week, as they dismantled a Victory side that should have been allowed to play much better than they did.
True, the loss of Milligan was pivotal to that result, however Newcastle had equalised and started to turn the screws on their opposition before Milligan left the field.
In fact, you might be tempted to say that Milligan’s send-off was, in part, due to the pressure exerted by the Novocastrians.
Melbourne City on the other hand, appear a team that are starting to fray at the edges. 100 per cent victorious in their first four games, Sydney beat them in round five, and Melbourne have not once looked the same since.
Their last two losses to Brisbane and Perth, directly or otherwise, have seen the loss of one coaching staff member this week, with rumours of more changes to come.
So, from a certain perspective, this really looks like an easy W for the home side. But again, looks can be deceiving.
Newcastle, ultimately, beat ten men last round, and suddenly in that game, Dimi Petratos went on a spree in-game that may haunt Victory for a long time.
Well, this week, Newcastle will (likely) have to perform against all 11-men, and you can be absolutely rest-assured that Melbourne, smarting off the back of losses in games they should have won, will be champing at the bit to prove the growing band of doubters wrong.
If City can do what Victory couldn’t, and actually mark Petratos, it will be interesting to see how Newcastle respond.
So let’s not forget, this is second vs third, and it guarantees to be a close one.
Prediction
Newcastle will win, of that I am largely certain, but you just can’t shake the feeling that they will have to work hard for it. You would think that the chance to keep the pressure on Sydney for top spot, along with a home crowd backing, should be enough.
But Melbourne are still a force, internal issues aside. A fit and firing Cahill, and a positive McCormack, is the type of firepower that could overwhelm a Newcastle that likes to leak early goals (though, granted, concession of early goals seem to be a tonic for the home)
While I anticipate a much-improved Melbourne performance, I simply can’t go past Newcastle.
Newcastle Jets 2-1.
tully101
Roar Guru
second half was better, we actually looked worth the points. brattan's impact cant be understated, if he can reach his peak that would be huge
Kangajets
Guest
Jets missed opportunities Boogaard errors costly and Hoffman was just terrible tonight City took their chances.
perry cox
Roar Guru
I think that's a bit harsh. It's more a win by the sword type of thing. We had 6 shots against Mariners, scored 5. Tonight, we had six shots, scored one. They will need to respond next week to give tonight more context.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Lost opportunity to put a gap on third and keep up with Sydney. We just seemed to knock it around hoping for the best in the second half, but City came out a lot better in midfield but that wasn't saying much at times. We wasted possession and needed a little more thought and brought City into the game far more than they were playing. Some old style Jets defending at the death turned a draw into a loss - very reminiscent of last season. Nice shot in the arm for City with a rare away win. Interested in Merricks take but not expecting a run of losses in what was going to be a testing run over these three rounds - one from three not ideal but perhaps squad depth now costing us.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
We actually played with far more spirit and tenacity in the second half than in the first and somehow the lads clawed their way back into the games. Taking off Budzinski was a good move by Joyce and Brattan knuckled down and started to pull some strings. But without Bouzanis holding things together in the first half we would have been toast. Thanks Manny Muscat :)
tully101
Roar Guru
How the hell did we win that? Worst we have played in the last 5 games, yet the only one we have won, funny old game
perry cox
Roar Guru
Couldn't have said it better myself Stevo. Spot on analysis really. Newcastle will be kicking themselves, but take nothing away from Melbourne. They were never really out of it, as the result justly indicates.
perry cox
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Newcastle 1 Melbourne 2 Melbourne City have thrown some pedestrian form and an up and down week out the window to steal a valuable win in Newcastle. And that win goes down to a combination of great luck, solid defence, and taking the small chances that they had, in contrast to a wasteful home team. Newcastle brought the style in the first half of the first half, but this was where the luck played its part for Melbourne. Galekovic pulled up lame in the warm up, and it was injury replacement Dean Bouzanis who put in a first class showing in keeping to deflect everything that Newcastle had. Petratos was sublime to start with, as he weaved his brand of mastery to set up waves of flying Jets into the area. Unfortunately for the home team, Bouzanis was more inspired, as he repelled every attack with aplomb. It was actually unlucky for the away team to go behind, with Nabbout taking a poacher's goal to grab a seemingly deserved lead for the Jets, even Nabbout's opener was after he had to make a second chance work when Bouzanis saved that first effort. But, there would be many a twist in the tail of this contest, as two Boogard errors led to a Melbourne penalty, that McCormack converted (for his sixth set piece goal of the season). It was a very different game in the second half, as Melbourne began to grind away at the home team, who appeared somewhat rattled and disjointed. Luke Brattan came into his own, and started to march around the field leaving his mark, although neither team really created any chances. But a chanceless second half was turned on its head, when late in the game Melbourne attacked through Jamieson, who nutmegged a defender, belted it in, another Melbourne shot was deflected, but it sat up perfectly for Muscat, who blasted a volley into the goal to near-break the net. His goal celebration was a combination of euphoria, relief, and vindication. Unfortunately for Muscat, he picked up a silly yellow, his fifth of the season, and will miss next week's game. While the Jets threw a small kitchen sink at Melbourne towards the end, the result was done, and Melbourne will fly home having put their season back on track, leaving a bitter taste in the mouth of the home team, who had been celebrating milestone games for their captain and coach. For Newcastle, questions will be asked as to why they are unable to put in a 90 minute performance, as further lapses throughout the season could put paid to what is, still for the moment, looking to be promising season for them. Meanwhile, Sydney create an even bigger gap at the top of the table. Melbourne 2-1 winners, and it will be interesting to see if Bouzanis retains his place.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
What happened there ????? Holy heck, shoulda lost it but in the end we won it! That's football and take a bow Bouzanis and Muscat :)
perry cox
Roar Guru
Spot on Kanga. Jets may rue this result tonight.
perry cox
Roar Guru
94' Newcastle 1 Melbourne 2 Last minute of the game. Jets throw it all on the line.
Kangajets
Guest
Bouzanis saves and jets poor shooting very costly tonight Got to take your chances
perry cox
Roar Guru
92' Newcastle 1 Melbourne 2 Petratos with a looping ball into the area, and Nabbout just can't connect. Might be too late for the home team. They've waited 45 minutes to play, and conceded in the mean time.
perry cox
Roar Guru
91' Newcastle 1 Melbourne 2 Yellow card for the scorer, Muscat, who right now I would think does not care. Although, Muscat will be out through suspension next week. He may care after the whistle. Jets with a free kick into the area. 4 minutes of stoppage time. What a finish!
perry cox
Roar Guru
90' Newcastle 1 Melbourne 2 Well the small home crowd is stunned. Clut should have earned a corner there. A deflection sent that out, but every official has missed that. Things turning for Melbourne when it matters now. What a change in proceedings!
perry cox
Roar Guru
88' Newcastle 1 Melbourne 2 SUB: Clut on, Hoffman off.
perry cox
Roar Guru
87' Newcastle 1 Melbourne 2 I'm actually not sure if these teams are going for the win, but Melbourne will attack again, AND MELBOURNE SCORE THROUGH A MUSCAT WORLDY!!!!! Thoroughly deserved, and Muscat with an absolute pearling finish, off a nutmeg by, I think, Fitzgferald, and the ball pinballs around until it falls out wide, and Muscat from the right, ten yards out, volleys into the top of the net. Brilliant by Melbourne. They have absolutely earned that lead.
perry cox
Roar Guru
84' Newcastle 1 Melbourne 1 Fitzgerald again bounces a shot into the arms of Moss from distance. He might score like that, but it's unlikely. Ref blowing his whistle here, and funnily enough, marches the Jets thrower back ten yards. Victory will be spewing.
perry cox
Roar Guru
82' Newcastle 1 Melbourne 1 Nabbout plays playmaker there, with a crafty through ball into the area, but it trails away from Shabow. Delightful stuff, but again for Newcastle, no reward. Cahill goes for a speccy on a Jets player, and gives away the free.
perry cox
Roar Guru
Couple errors, yes, but not bad on the whole. If you ask me that is.