Newcastle Jets down Melbourne Victory to keep top-six chase alive

Joe Wright

Newcastle Jets down Melbourne Victory to keep top-six chase alive image

Newcastle Jets gave their hopes of a top-six finish in the A-League a boost on Saturday with a 2-0 defeat of Melbourne Victory at GMHBA Stadium.

Goals in each half from Johnny Koutroumbis and Dimitri Petratos secured three valuable points against the side who beat the Jets in last year's Grand Final.

The result moves the Jets to within two points of sixth-placed Wellington Phoenix, while Victory stay nine points behind leaders Perth Glory.

The visitors took the lead 34 minutes in, Koutroumbis converting from close range after Steven Ugarkovic twice failed to turn in Daniel Georgievski's cross.

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Victory controlled 69 per cent of the possession but could not convert it into meaningful chances, with Ernie Merrick's side looking the more likely to score a second on the break.

James Donachie was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 92nd minute, and Petratos made the win secure with practically the last kick of the match, blasting in a stunning strike from 25 yards out after Joseph Champness had seen a shot bobble against the post.

Joe Wright

Joe Wright Photo

Joe is a Senior Editor at Sporting News. He was previously a sub editor and writer for Goal.com before spending six years as part of the Stats Perform editorial news service, covering major global sports including football, tennis, boxing, NBA, rugby union and athletics. Joe has reported live on some of the biggest games in football, including two UEFA Champions League finals, Euro 2016, the Confederations Cup 2017 and the 2018 World Cup final at the end of a month in Russia.