The Newcastle Jets have come from behind to defeat Melbourne Victory 3-1 in front of a strong crowd at Ausgrid Stadium on Saturday night.
It was Newcastle’s biggest win of the season and now moves them above Victory on the ladder to sit in third position.
After a sensational goal from Carlos Hernandez opened the scoring for the away side, the Jets responded quickly to take a 2-1 lead just after half time, and went to consolidate on that lead with another impressive display at home.
Jeremy Brockie put in another standout performance upfront for the Jets while Ryan Griffiths bagged two goals, his second coming with two minutes remaining to secure the win.
Despite the Jet’s dominance early on it was Melbourne Victory who took the lead on 20 minutes with a delightful goal from Hernandez breaking the deadlock; there was little that Matthew Nash could do as Herndandez curled his effort into the top corner from 20 yards out.
However it didn’t take the home side long to respond as they were awarded a penalty on 26 minutes after Marco Rojas dragged down Griffiths in the box.
Griffiths stepped up to send Ante Covic the wrong way and place his finish into the bottom corner to level the scores at 1-1.
Newcastle continued to press forward and threaten Melbourne’s goal but were unable to make the breakthrough they needed going into the half time break and the scores remained level.
It took them just one minute after the restart though to take the lead after Haliti headed home a Brockie cross at the back post.
Harry Kewell sent a shot powerful shot past the post on 66 minutes in one of his only attacking displays of the match, as Melbourne Victory found it difficult to break down the Jets defence.
Victory almost had a penalty of their own on 78 minutes when Nikolai Topor-Stanley brought down Archie Thompson who was through on goal, but referee Jarred Gillett overlooked the challenge.
Any attempt of a comeback was washed away on 88 minutes when Griffiths got his second goal of the match, finishing into an empty net after Ruben Zadkovich’s initial shot was blocked by Covic right into his path.
Jets coach Gary Van Egmond said it wasn’t his sides best performance but said the ‘effectiveness’ in the front third was impressive’, something the Jets have lacked in previous weeks.
Newcastle Jets are away to Central Coast Mariners next week in what shapes up to be a very exciting match up at Bluetongue Stadium.
Newcastle Jets 3 (Griffiths 27pen, 88, Haliti 47)
Melbourne Victory 1 (Hernandez 20)
