NEWCASTLE JETS TOPPLE PREMIER SYDNEY FC
IF THERE ever was a sign Sydney FC could not take the A-League title for granted, it was their 2-1 undoing by a Newcastle side playing almost 80 minutes with 10 men.
The script to yesterday’s one-versus-two grand-final rehearsal was truly insane, and memories of the Sky Blues’ second loss this season will be remembered for one protagonist.
Jordy Buijs, the Sky Blues defender responsible for Roy O’Donovan’s 14th-minute dismissal – by way of a punch to the face – conceded the penalty for the Jets’ opening goal.
Buijs then delivered the free-kick for Bobo’s equaliser, before Andrew Nabbout’s latest screamer handed Newcastle their first win over Sydney in 16 meetings and cut the Sky Blues’ lead to eight points at the top of the table.
A boisterous 18,156-strong crowd, the A-League’s biggest in almost five years at McDonald Jones Stadium, watched Ernie Merrick’s entertainers prove they had the mettle to surge from wooden-spooners to champions.
There was no clue of a Jets victory 10 minutes in when Buijs fell to the turf after an altercation with O’Donovan while contesting the ball.
A four-minute VAR review revealed the Irish striker had swung his closed fist across the Dutchman’s face while holding his shoulder. Chris Beath issued the red card.
But the Newcastle defence, boosted by the inclusion of Nigel Boogaard settled in and Daniel Georgievski contained Adrian Mierzejewski.