Melbourne City have scored a strong win over the Newcastle Jets on the road, victorious by three goals to none.
Final score
Newcastle Jets 0
Melbourne City 3
While the Premier’s Plate is wrapped up, the Newcastle Jets can find solace in their automatic qualification for the Asian Champions League Group Stage for 2019.
However, there is still much to play for at McDonald Jones Stadium for third placed Melbourne City who are desperate to pip the Champions League qualifying spot ahead of rivals Melbourne Victory.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 5pm AEDT.
Newcastle were ever so close to raining on Sydney FC’s parade last week before they were thrashed 5-2 by a rampant Adelaide United. The loss of Nigel Boogard to a leg injury has opened up Newcastle to countless vulnerabilities at the back for their first loss in six weeks.
Newcastle were dreadful at set pieces but were also very vulnerable on the counter-attack conceding twice as a result of being dispossessed in their half.
Newcastle were also missing their attacking lynchpin Dimi Petratos due to international duty with the Socceroos. His vision and creativity were missed as The Jets two goals came from set pieces scored by Ben Kantarovski.
Full-back and winger Jason Hoffman is missing after receiving a red card against Adelaide while Wayne Brown has suffered a calf strain and is replaced by Ronny Vargas.
Melbourne City’s ‘Prickly Pear’ Bruno Fornaroli was on fire against the Wanderers in Melbourne City’s 3-0 win at home last week. The Uruguayan scored and assisted in the victory proving his worth as a marquee in his second start since returning from injury.
Stefan Mauk was also in stellar form, scoring in the second game in a row as Danish centre-back Michael Jakobsen scored his first a-League goal in his 41st match.
This is a welcome fixture for Melbourne City, having not lost this season to Newcastle as well as beating them on their own turf 2-1 earlier this season.
Prediction
Melbourne City to win 2-1.
KJ
Roar Rookie
How close do you think that was to a foul on Arzarni as he was pushing through. Looked to be held back IMO.
Kangajets
Guest
Way too good tonight
Stevo
Roar Rookie
We were good for the win, deserved the 3 points and now 3rd sport in our hands.
144
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME The Newcastle Jets drew a blank for the first time this season as Melbourne City trounced the Jets 3-0 at the Mcdonald Jones Stadium. Another goal from Bruno Fornaroli and a brace from Dario Vidosic send City back into third spot. Jets 0-3 City.
144
Roar Guru
4 minutes of added time
Kangajets
Guest
City way too good tonight Vargas ugarchivc and cowburn just got slammed in the middle by city . Those 3 won’t be there in finals Jets will beat city in the semi final Just got to get the team gelling
144
Roar Guru
86' Petratos' free-kick parried away from Bouzanis as it was travelling into the top corner.
144
Roar Guru
83' Brilliant ball in from Danny Georgievski but Rodriguez's header is just wide as he gets in between Atkinson and Muscat.
144
Roar Guru
MELBOURNE CITY SUBSTITUTION OFF: Michael Jakobsen ON: Harrison Delbridge
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Vidosic you ripper :)
144
Roar Guru
77' VIDOSIC WITH A DOUBLE. HE'S SCORED FROM THE FREE-KICK The resulting free-kick let's Vidosic power over the wall and Duncan with no hope sees it slam the back of his net.
144
Roar Guru
76' Fitzgerald fouled by Ugarkovic on the edge of the area.
144
Roar Guru
MELBOURNE CITY SUBSTITUTION OFF: Bruno Fornaroli ON: Nick Fitzgerald NEWCASTLE JETS SUBSTITUTION OFF: Ronny Vargas ON: Joey Champness
144
Roar Guru
73' A clever backheel sends VUJICA free on the left but his great ball isn't rewarded as O'DONOVAN misses with a trailing leg.
144
Roar Guru
72' The Jets get City on the counter as Petratos lays it off for O'Donovan who picks out Rodriguez but his curling shot goes wide.
144
Roar Guru
70' Yellow Card for Daniel Georgievski and that's a suspension.
Kangajets
Guest
Rodriguez is on They got a bit of energy now Has Merrick left it too late ? I don’t think we will see cowburn and ugarchoviv together again
144
Roar Guru
64' CHANCE FOR THE JETS as Rodriguez controls the ball in the bos and squares it to Ugarkovic who shoots but it's powerless and into the hands of Bouzanis.
144
Roar Guru
NEWCASTLE JETS SUBSTITUTION OFF: Nic Cowburn ON: Pato Rodriguez
144
Roar Guru
56' Goergievski going for the Maicon World Cup reversing volley but he chooks it.