A resilient Newcastle Jets have overhauled Western Sydney Wanderers on the A-League Men table after recording a 1-0 win at McDonald Jones Stadium.
With their goal peppered across the opening stanza, Arthur Papas’ Jets reasserted themselves in the second half and took the lead just past the hour mark when Angus Thurgate was delightfully found by Daniel Penha in the area and finished on an acute angle.
Unable to find a response, the Wanderers now fall below their foes and into ninth place on the table ahead of a visit from Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.
Back in action on Saturday, the Jets will host Macarthur as they look to continue to close the gap on the top six.
Known for their attacking intent and positivity in possession this season, the Jets found a willing dance partner in the Wanderers, who sent in 12 shots in the opening 45.
Running onto a header towards goal from Steven Urgakovic, Adama Traore came close to opening the scoring in the 38th minute but couldn’t get a shot on target.
Ramy Najjarine had an even better opportunity with just a minute of regulation time remaining when he was played through one-on-one only to be well denied by charging Jets keeper Jack Duncan.
Kejiro Ogawa thought he’d finally opened the scoring for the Wanderers five minutes after the restart, only for the assistant’s flag to indicate offside in the aftermath.
Duelling chances for the Jets and Wanderers followed with leading scorer Beka Mikeltadze getting more involved for the hosts, but it was Thurgate that would finally make the breakthrough in the 61st.
Refusing to wilt, the Wanderers continued to threaten but couldn’t find an equaliser.
They were perhaps lucky not to concede again when Kosta Grozos fluffed an open opportunity for the Jets in the 75th.
