The clash
Melbourne City FC will be looking to continue the winning momentum when they host Newcastle at AAMI Park on Sunday evening.
City opened the New Year with a 2-0 win over the Wanderers at ANZ Stadium on Tuesday, the Club’s first win over their rivals in Western Sydney.
Speedster Lachlan Wales opened the scoring with a neat finish in the 35th minute, latching onto Dario Vidosic’s intelligent long throw before chipping Vedran Janjetovic in the Wanderers goal.
Two minutes later City doubled their lead as Ritchie De Laet fired his shot home from just inside the area, finishing off the impressive work of Riley McGree in the lead up.
Despite taking a 2-0 lead into the break, City were forced to play most of the second-half with 10-men following Rostyn Griffiths’ second yellow card.
Eugene Galekovic stepped up the challenge, producing a number of brilliant saves including a penalty save, to secure the points for the visitors.
City will be desperate to extend their unbeaten run to four matches, but the task won’t be easy as they face a Jets outfit eager to respond.
Newcastle played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Brisbane Roar at McDonald Jones Stadium on Wednesday night.
In-form attacker Dimitri Petratos opened the scoring inside the opening five minutes, before Adam Taggart hit back in the 65th minute to level the scores.
Taggart’s goal seemed to open up the contest, with Roy O’Donovan restoring Newcastle’s lead two minutes later. Ernie Merrick’s side looked destined to secure the three-points but were undone by a lapse at the back post, as an unmarked Eric Bautheac nodded truly to ensure a share of the spoils.
Team news
The only casualty from last week’s contest was Rostyn Griffiths who will be out with his one-match suspension. See our full Team News.
Last time they met
Last time the two teams met was in Round 6 this season, as Warren Joyce’s men ran out 3-0 winners at AAMI Park.
Riley McGree opened the scoring in the second minute against his old side, before Luke Brattan produced a moment of brilliance to make it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time. Young speedster Lachlan Wales secured the points with a 75th minute strike.
What was said
Head Coach Warren Joyce
“The recovery part is important, we do the right things, it’s important that we’ve still got the same energy levels to drive the games like we’ve been doing,”
Newcastle Jets Assistant Coach Clayton Zane
“Melbourne City are one of the better football sides in the competition,” Zane said. “Last time against them was definitely the most disappointing performance we’ve had this season.
Where and when
City host Newcastle at AAMI Park on Sunday 6 January, kick-off 5:00pm, before returning to AAMI Park on Friday 11 January, kick-off 7:50pm, to host Brisbane Roar. Click here to get your tickets!
