Newcastle Jets have moved to within a win of the A-League Men top-six by riding a second-half offensive explosion to a 4-0 win over depleted Wellington Phoenix.
REACTION: ‘Talay was furious’: How one transition ‘stung’ the ‘Nix with game on the line
The hosts were frustrated throughout the opening stanza at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday evening but Olivier Boumal’s 51st-minute goal served to open the floodgates, with the Cameroonian international adding a second in the 63rd minute.
Beka Mikeltadze grabbed his ninth goal of the season four minutes later and Eli Babalj completed the procession in the 83rd.
Snapping a three-game losing streak, Arthur Papas’s side are now three points behind sixth-placed Sydney FC but have a game in hand over the Sky Blues – who they will face next Friday.
The Phoenix remain equal on points with Sydney although they have two games in hand on them but have an inferior goal difference.
Compounding Ufuk Talay’s worries, attacker Jaushua Sotirio made an enforced exit in the 57th and now potentially joins another three injured players and four others on international duty on Phoenix’s unavailable list.
David Ball missed the loss through suspension but will be available for their next fixture against Perth Glory next Saturday.
Though the Jets have won plaudits for their willingness to attack this season, the first half of Friday evening’s contest gave the indication that they would once again prove unable to convert their cavalcade of chances into actual goals.
Mikeltadze, Boumal, and Angus Thurgate all went close to opening the scoring, with Gary Hooper’s saved redirect of a Louis Fenton shot in the 15th the best of the visitor’s chances.
The Phoenix would have the best of the second half’s early opportunities, only for the Jets to find their feet after Boumal’s opener and make good on their box office reputation.
RELIVE: JETS v ‘NIX – AS IT HAPPENED
FULL-TIME: NEWCASTLE 4-0 WELLINGTON
It was a below par display from the hosts in the first half – but that second 45 was something to behold from the Jets.
When the Jets are on song, there’s arguably no team in the league capable of entertaining in the same manner, capable of free-flowing attack and creating an avalanche of goals.
83′: GOAL! Babalj ‘winds back the clock’ to send Jets cruising (4-0)
Wellington are on the canvas with less than 10 minutes to play as the Jets run rampant at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The fourth goal came via the head of Eli Babalj, who timed his run into the box to perfection to head home Dylan Murnane’s cross off the left flank.
67′: GOAL! ‘These are the box office Jets we were promised!’ (3-0)
This is quickly becoming a rout in Newcastle.
After a toothless first half, the home side has found its rhythm, going two goals ahead through a Boumal brace before Beka Mikeltadze got back amongst the goals, feinting to shoot on his right before cutting onto his left and whipping a strike into the back of the net.
63′: GOAL! Boumal on fire as Jets double the lead (2-0)
A low, driven strike from distance from Boumal has lashed into the bottom-right corner of goal, and put the Jets on the course to victory.
54′: Desperate Jets defending keeps lead intact
That was backs to the wall stuff from the Jets.
Scott Wootton had arrived at the back post, looking to score from a tight angle. But his attempt was blocked, leaving Gary Hooper to gather possession; he flicked the ball to Jaushua Sotirio in open space, and the ‘Nix forward struck on goal – but his shot went high over the bar.
51′: GOAL! Boumal nets opener off the rebound (1-0)
The Jets lead at McDonald Jones Stadium!
A long-range Daniel Penha strike was parried away from goal by Paulsen, but only into the path of Olivier Boumal. The Cameroonian struck first time off his left foot to find the back of the net, scoring his second goal in as many games against the ‘Nix.
48′: CHANCE! Sutton tests Weir as ‘Nix start second half strong
Sam Sutton initiated a neat one-two which opened up space for the left winger to lash a shot on goal early in the second half, which put Jets keeper Michael Weir to the test.
‘An important night it is in Newcastle’
Three years and three days ago, 51 people lost their lives in the Christchurch mosque attacks.
Tonight, the Jets stand united with Wellington, who are unable to pay their respects on home soil, arranging a touching tribute to show the names of those 51 people will never be forgotten.
Paramount+ sideline report Ben Homer summed it up best:
HALF-TIME: NEWCASTLE 0-0 WELLINGTON
It’s goalless at the break as the Jets and Phoenix both persevere to find an opener.
Thurgate and Siatravanis went closest for the home side in the first half. Wellington took six shots on goal as opposed to Newcastle’s seven, with the latter enjoying a monopoly of possession.
30′: CHANCE! Thurgate strikes and Paulsen saves… just (0-0)
That was almost a moment of calamity from Phoenix goalkeeper Alex Paulsen.
Angus Thurgate’s volley from outside the box was on target, but lacked the pace to sincerely test the Wellington gloveman – or so it seemed.
The shot dipped between Paulsen’s legs and could have easily squirmed into the back of the net before the young keeper sat on the ball to keep it in his possession.
13′: CHANCE! Siatravanis heads wide (0-0)
The Jets went closest to opening the score through Savvas Siatravanis, who arrived at the back post to get ahead of his marker and head a curling cross toward goal from close range.
Hit the target and a near-certain goal was on offer for the hosts, but instead his header flashed just wide of the mark.
1′: KICK-OFF (0-0)
The Jets have retained possession through the opening minute of play as they look to press the visiting Phoenix early doors.
SAFE SMOKE A TRIBUTE TO UKRAINE
Beka Mikeltadze’s message of support to the people of Ukraine in early February was a message felt around the world.
With corner flags and pre-game safe smoke both flying the colours of the Ukrainian flag tonight, the Jets are showing their full support of their Georgian striker’s message as the war in Ukraine continues.
TEAM NEWS
51 seats reserved: Jets, Phoenix unite in moving tribute to victims of Christchurch mosque attack
Wellington Phoenix travel to face Newcastle Jets on Friday night, in a clash which both teams will unite to honour the victims of the Christchurch mosque terror attacks.
The Isuzu UTE A-League fixture comes three years and three days after 51 people were killed and more than 40 other injured by a terrorist at two Christchurch mosques.
The Phoenix began honouring the victims of the tragedy in March, 2019, continuing on home soil one year later in 2020 before the displaced Phoenix combined with Western Sydney at CommBank Stadium to pay their respects at CommBank Stadium last year.
This season it’s the Jets uniting with the Phoenix in a tribute to those who lost their lives in 2019; 51 seats at McDonald Jones Stadium will be reserved throughout the game, with each seat bearing the name of one of the deceased.
Newcastle executive chairman Shane Mattiske said: “Acknowledging the loss of the Christchurch community and the impact of such a terrible act on all in New Zealand, and around the world, is extremely important.
“As a club and a sport, we promote inclusion and community harmony. By standing alongside Wellington Phoenix in remembering this tragedy, we hope it assists to further promote the importance of our communities coming together and supporting each other.”
Wellington Phoenix general manager David Dome added: “We have a great relationship with the Muslim community in Wellington and throughout New Zealand – thanks in part to our ‘Football for All’ community programme – so it is important for us to stand in solidarity with them in the days and years following this unthinkable tragedy.
“As we’ve been unable to play at home again this season, the Newcastle Jets have been fantastic in working with us to continue the club’s tradition of honouring the 51 fallen, this time at McDonald Jones Stadium.
“We thank them for the compassion and support they’ve shown with organising this tribute.”
