Undermanned Jets see off City
Newcastle Jets ended their best week of the season with a gutsy 3-1 win over Melbourne City, thanks to quality finishes from two substitutes.
Joey Champness and Roy O'Donovan netted in a four-minute spell in the second half to take Ernie Merrick's side within six points of the Finals Series places.
The Jets were undermanned for the clash, which came sandwiched between two Asian Champions League qualifiers.
But despite making seven changes to their starting side they saw off the visitors at McDonald Jones Stadium for a third victory in five games.
Jair put the Jets ahead in the 22nd minute, with City's new signing Jamie Maclaren levelling with his second goal in as many games.
Champness, playing just his second game of the season, beat keeper Eugene Galekovic to finish off a speedy move and Irish striker O'Donovan wrapped up the victory.
With Merrick resting several stars, including Dimi Petratos, Ronny Vargas and Nigel Boogaard, he gave Brazilian Jair a start after three games on the bench.
He repaid the coach's faith when he gave the hosts a shock lead with a powerful header from Johnny Koutroumbis' cross.
Maclaren, who had fired just wide in the first half, equalised when he turned home Luke Brattan's low cross 10 minutes after the restart.
City knew they'd return to the top four if they secured the win, but it was Newcastle's fresh legs that made the difference.
Just five minutes after coming on, Champness slipped the ball past Galekovic after Jair and O'Donovan had linked up.
And Champness helped set up the third Jets goal when he fed the ball through for O'Donovan who netted for the sixth time this season.
Melbourne City are 12/5 to win their next game against Melbourne Victory, who are 21/20 with the draw 5/2.
View all Soccer betting
Newcastle Jets ended their best week of the season with a gutsy 3-1 win over Melbourne City, thanks to quality finishes from two substitutes.
Joey Champness and Roy O'Donovan netted in a four-minute spell in the second half to take Ernie Merrick's side within six points of the Finals Series places.
The Jets were undermanned for the clash, which came sandwiched between two Asian Champions League qualifiers.
But despite making seven changes to their starting side they saw off the visitors at McDonald Jones Stadium for a third victory in five games.
Jair put the Jets ahead in the 22nd minute, with City's new signing Jamie Maclaren levelling with his second goal in as many games.
Champness, playing just his second game of the season, beat keeper Eugene Galekovic to finish off a speedy move and Irish striker O'Donovan wrapped up the victory.
With Merrick resting several stars, including Dimi Petratos, Ronny Vargas and Nigel Boogaard, he gave Brazilian Jair a start after three games on the bench.
He repaid the coach's faith when he gave the hosts a shock lead with a powerful header from Johnny Koutroumbis' cross.
Maclaren, who had fired just wide in the first half, equalised when he turned home Luke Brattan's low cross 10 minutes after the restart.
City knew they'd return to the top four if they secured the win, but it was Newcastle's fresh legs that made the difference.
Just five minutes after coming on, Champness slipped the ball past Galekovic after Jair and O'Donovan had linked up.
And Champness helped set up the third Jets goal when he fed the ball through for O'Donovan who netted for the sixth time this season.
Melbourne City are 12/5 to win their next game against Melbourne Victory, who are 21/20 with the draw 5/2.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com
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