Newcastle have twice come from behind to snatch a point from Western Sydney in a rousing 2-2 A-League draw heavily impacted by the video assistant referee.
Former Wanderers skipper Nikolai Topor-Stanley conceded two penalties to his old club before Dimi Petratos and Andrew Nabbout did their Socceroos chances no harm with a spectacular strike apiece at Spotless Stadium on Friday night.
Despite a pronounced step up in opposition, the sixth-placed Wanderers looked far more like title challengers than they have recently and perhaps at any other time this season.
Integral was Chris Ikonomidis, who backed up an eye-catching maiden start last week with another dazzling display.
The 22-year-old’s seamless combination with Marcelo Carrusca very nearly gave the hosts a lead inside five minutes when the latter picked out an astute pass.
Ikonomidis’ intelligent run preceded a clinical finish, though the VAR ruled him a nick offside after a lengthy review.
A minute or so later they had a goal anyway after Carrusca drew a clever penalty from Topor-Stanley, paving the way for Oriol Riera’s successful spot-kick.
It all made the high-flying Jets appear rather ordinary early on, with Ernie Merrick’s men taking some time to warm into the game.
Eventually they did, though Vedran Janjetovic was there to thwart the damage with two top-shelf diving first half saves to deny Patito Rodriguez and Petratos.
However there was no stopping Petratos’ equaliser after the break.
Having started quieter than usual, the playmaker came alive with purpose in the 48th minute, stunning Janjetovic with a venomous strike.
The hosts reasserted pressure in search of another lead and had it delivered on a platter when the ball ricocheted off Carrusca and onto Topor-Stanley’s hand.
Riera stepped up for a second penalty and his 11th goal of the season but the visitors reacted swiftly and within a minute they’d pulled back level courtesy of an exquisite moment from Nabbout.
The winger took two touches to skip past as many defenders before bending the ball inside the far post off the outside of his boot in a contender for goal of the season.
Late on, Newcastle were denied a lead – and ultimately victory – when the VAR intervened a third time to disallow a Janjetovic own goal, ruling Jason Hoffman had fouled the gloveman in the air as he attempted to clear a corner.
Buddy
Guest
Nem - would you subscribe to a theory that suggest the “best 23 players” in Australia don’t necessarily make the best team or even a squad? I’m trolling through my internal archives trying to remember a coach or two that took 5 or 6 players from the same team as they were a cohesive bunch and played better together than some of the more obvious candidates. I think it may have been Sir Bobby Robson and most likely he would have used Liverpool players of the time. These days the ethnic mix at clubs is so great, that might be an impossible task but maybe at least worth an experiment.
Nemesis
Guest
Pretty sure Ernie Merrick said last night Nabbout is hot & cold for the Jets. He was asked why he didn't show any emotion when Nabbout scored. Merrick said: I know Andrew is capable of that, but he's got to work harder. Right now he drifts in & out of games too much. There is no way Nabbout goes to Russia WC as part of the AUS team. For sure, he might be in the mix for Asian Cup 2019, but no way BvM picks him as one of the 23 best footballers who are Australian.
Fletch
Guest
Nabbout is forcing his way into NT selection through consistently good performances. At Victory he showed signs of class, but was hot and cold. Merrick has him firing on eight cylinders, week in week out. I hope Bert is watching.
Kangajets
Guest
The FFa should use nabbout goal in a thousand tv / Facebook YouTube adds this week to showcase the A league
Kangajets
Guest
I'm trying not to talk about v.... shhhh . I'm just focusing on a quality A league game .
Kangajets
Guest
Buddy Good summary Very happy I traveled to watch this game . The var does my head in , but a draw is a fair result in the end . Can't wait until you guys are back at parramatta. I see a knockout semi final coming up in April between our sides .
Waz
Guest
Nabbout’s was a pure class strike following a good build up too.
Waz
Guest
Thank God we’ve got the VAR so we’re not talking about refereeing controversies after the game and we’re certain all the decisions were right ?
Buddy
Guest
That was the best 90 minutes of football WSW have been involved in this season by a long shot. For 30 minutes in the first half Newcastle slumbered and Wanderers plundered although the header against the crossbar by Boogard should have been taken as a warning of what was to come. VAR appeared to have an enormous bearing. The first goal on replay looked inconclusive and not even worthy of review. I am really not sure what NTS was supposed to do when the ball struck a Wanderers player and flew back at him at speed when the two players were less than 2 metres apart? He didn’t make any deliberate play at the ball, neither did he deflect the ball away from goal and those two factors to me are the important ones - I am not arguing th LOTG just what happens in a handball situation. The third goal for the Jets looked at first as though the ball was being headed just as Janjetovic was catching it - 50/50 situation and I reckon the referee thought that too as he signalled for a goal. However, replay showed otherwise. In spite of the delays and VAR, we were treated to a couple of screamers from Petratos and Nabbout. Those two goals were worth the price of admission alone and will live long in the memory. The game was tense and exciting and I got the overall impression that the Jets got something out of the game on confidence and self belief as much as anything else. At some point late in the first half they realised they are riding high on the table, playing good football, entertaining and can dominate games and not be dictated to. Once established, they began to play that way and their second half performance was full of everything that has been good about their season. For those that stayed away and missed the game, they truly missed a good evening.
Kangajets
Guest
Well wasn’t that a cracker of a game . Terrific goals from the jets and some quality from the Wanderers from risdon and Ikonomidis I think ( at the ground , you are so far away it’s hard to see who is who ) That’s 20 gsmes in a row that Newcastle have scored a goal . How abt Nabbout s screamer . Get in the net