Sydney FC respond to derby defeat with crushing win over Jets

Sydney FC have bounced back from last weekend’s derby defeat in emphatic fashion, thrashing Newcastle Jets 4-1 at Leichhardt Oval on Friday night.

The Sky Blues took an early lead through Milos Ninkovic only for the Jets to hit back almost immediately to make it 1-1 inside the first 10 minutes.

But once Adam Le Fondre restored the home side’s lead just before the break there was only going to be one winner.

Steve Corica’s side flexed their muscle after the break, scoring twice more through an own goal from Jets defender Johnny Koutroumbis and another to Kosta Barbarouses, his first for the club.

The result was not only the perfect response after the 1-0 loss to rivals Western Sydney Wanderers last weekend but extends their home winning streak against the Jets to 10 matches.

It was a disappointing night for the Jets who remain winless in the 2019/20 Season, unable to produce a quality performance in what was Ernie Merrick’s 300^th-game as a coach in the Hyundai A-League.

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Key moments

Le Fondre squanders early chance

Sydney FC were after a fast start and should have taken the lead inside the first 17 seconds.

Jets skipper Nigel Boogaard’s attempted header back to his keeper allowed Adam Le Fondre to pounce on the ball on the edge of the box.

But the Sky Blues striker’s lob over Glen Moss was wide of the target in a huge let-off for the visitors.

What a chance early!@SydneyFC can't finish it.

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Ninkovic strikes early for Sydney

The Jets failed to heed the early warning and were behind on six minutes through their nemesis Milos Ninkovic.

Luke Brattan deserved plenty of the credit, whipping in a perfect cross from the right which bent to the back post.

And that’s where Ninkovic was lurking, getting in behind Matt Millar to side-foot past the keeper for his sixth goal in 12 games against the Jets.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6099681063001

Miller hits back for the Jets

It took just three minutes for Newcastle to hit back, with Matt Millar making up for his defensive lapse with a sensational header.

Dimitri Petratos took a free-kick from wide out on the right, putting it into a dangerous area in the Sydney FC box.

Millar showed a great leap to rise highest and divert his header into the far corner of the net.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6099682325001

Le Fondre restores Sydney’s lead before the break

Some sublime football from the champions ends with Le Fondre getting his name on the scoresheet.

Brattan and Alexander Baumjohann combined to release Rhyan Grant down the right.

The Caltex Socceroos defender played a first-time cross into the near post, with Le Fondre getting in front of his defender to sweep it superbly past Glen Moss.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6099690182001

Sky Blues double their lead

It took just six minutes after the restart for Sydney FC to extend their lead.

A corner from the right is met by a powerful volley from Ryan McGowan which deflects off Jets defender Johnny Koutroumbis and into the net.

McGowan celebrated like it’s his but it may go down as an own goal to Koutroumbis.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6099690009001

Barbarouses’ first Sydney FC goal makes it four

What a moment for Kosta Barbarouses!

Some more sensational play from the Sky Blues ends with Brandon O’Neill sliding a clever through-ball for the Kiwi international.

Barbarouses skipped past one defender, cut inside and around keeper Glen Moss and then tapped it into an open goal for his fist Sydney FC goal in the Hyundai A-League.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6099695144001