Adelaide United are in the midst of their best start to an Isuzu UTE A-League season since 2014-15 after edging Newcastle Jets 1-0.
A 14th-minute goal from captain Stefan Mauk was the difference away at McDonald Jones Stadium, where Adelaide star Ben Folami was sent off in the second half on Saturday night.
Up to second in the standings following six games undefeated to begin 2024-25 – it is the club’s best start to a campaign since going seven matches unbeaten to start the season 10 years ago.
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As for the faltering Jets, the Newcastle-based club are 11th in the standings on the back of four consecutive losses.
Returning to McDonald Jones Stadium for the first time since leaving boyhood club the Jets, local favourite Archie Goodwin made his first start for the Reds and he was in the thick of the action.
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Mauk nearly put the visitors ahead in the fifth minute but his half-volley was kept out by Ryan Scott.
Adelaide controlled proceedings in the first half and they got their goal 10 minutes later when Goodwin’s fine footwork got him beyond his opponent as he got a shot underneath Scott before the ball popped out and straight to the feat of Mauk, who made no mistake from close range for his second goal in three matches.
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In the 34th minute, Goodwin’s shot was deflected by Scott and appeared destined to drop into the open net, however Aleksandar Susnjar arrived in the nick of time to hack the ball clear off the line.
Newcastle almost drew level on the stroke of half-time – Lachlan Rose, making his debut, slid in to get on the end of a cross but his shot cannoned straight into the crossbar and stayed out.
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Adelaide found themselves down to 10 men in the 65th minute after Folami was sent off following a VAR review. The Reds attacker saw red after throwing a hand to the face of Phillip Cancar as they tussled for the ball.
