Newcastle have restored their four point lead at the top of the Isuzu UTE A-League table after Ben Gibson’s stoppage time winner saw them leave Allianz Stadium with a 2-1 victory over Sydney FC.
Gibson’s winner came after Tiago Quintal’s 68th minute striker had cancelled out Kota Mizunuma’s opener, with the goals coming amid a flurry of chances for both side — there were 30 shots in total across the duration of the match.
Not only does this result give Newcastle a four point gap over second-placed Auckland FC, it drops Sydney FC down to fifth behind Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United – but five points clear of Macarthur FC in sixth.
Newcastle had the ball in the back of the net though Mizunuma in the seventh minute, but Will Dobson had taken the ball past the by-line in the build up.
Mizunuma got on the end of another chance in the 25th minute when he pounced on the rebound from a Harrison Devenish-Meares save, but he could only direct his shot into the post.
The 31st minute saw the third time turn lucky for the Japanese winger, getting on the end of a Max Burgess through pass and placing his strike in the bottom corner to make it 1-0 to the Jets.
Sydney made an attacking change at half time with midfielder Quintal replacing central defender Marcel Tisserand, shifting from a back five to a back four.
The injection of Quintal almost paid off straight away, with the 19-year-old taking the ball for a long run up the middle before teeing up Victor Campuzano who forced a good save out of James Delianov.
Sydney continued with this momentum for the next 20 minutes before they eventually found the back of the net, Quintal powering his shot past Delianov after being played in by Piero Quispe.
There was late drama when Sydney were awarded a penalty for a Delianov foul on Patrick Wood, however VAR found Wood was in an offside position before he took possession of the ball.
Newcastle then took the ball down the other end and scored through Gibson, only for that to be disallowed for the striker being offside as well.
Gibson had another chance minutes later and this time he stayed onside to finish off Xavier Bertoncello’s perfectly placed low cross in from the right and get the lead back for Newcastle.
Now winless in their last three matches, Sydney FC get the international break to reset before heading up to Brisbane to take on the Roar.
Newcastle will take on Macarthur FC who will still be riding the wave of their upset win over Auckland FC.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Newcastle Jets goal: Kota Mizunuma 33′
Sydney FC goal: Tiago Quintal 68′
Newcastle Jets goal: Ben Gibson 93′
