Sydney FC 1-3 Newcastle Jets: Bridges Stuns Sky Blues

An inspired Newcastle Jets outfit consigned Sydney FC to their third consecutive A-League defeat, running out 3-1 winners at the Sydney Football Stadium this afternoon.

A brace from former Sky Blue Michael Bridges and a single strike from Jets captain Matt Thompson gave under-pressure manager Branko Culina a stunning victory, his decision to field an attacking 3-4-3 line-up paying dividends.

For Vitezslav Lavicka, a worrying run that threatens to derail Sydney’s title aspirations continues, his men outfought by their embattled opponents.

How different the result might have been had Rhyan Grant steered a glorious second-minute opportunity into the back of the net but after being slipped into the box by Steve Corica, he could only poke his effort agonizingly wide of Neil Young’s right post.

That sharp move might have set the tone for the rest of the match, Sydney a team confident at home and the Jets a disjointed outfit yet to find any fluency under Branko Culina this season.

Yet the visitors would go on to dominate the first half, forcing Sydney to gradually sit deeper in their own half and playing a pleasing brand of football in the process.

They might have had the lead as early as 10 minutes into the match, returning striker Michael Bridges having his close-range headed effort ruled out for offside, after his captain Matt Thompson was adjudged to be beyond the last defender as he headed Tarek Elrich’s clipped ball back across the face of goal.

It was a warning sign for Vitezslav Lavicka’s men, who were looking static in defence as their opponents found space in midfield and penetration down the flanks with a highly effective formation.

Key to that operation was the outstanding Jobe Wheelhouse, who let fly with a driven effort that was saved by Clint Bolton before the ‘keeper was beaten from the penalty spot on 22 minutes.

Rhyan Grant continued what had started as a difficult afternoon, his late challenge bringing down the typically lively Song after he was released in the area by Michael Bridges’ perfectly weighted pass.

The Englishman then stepped up to send Bolton the wrong way, coolly rolling the ball home and for a surprising – but thoroughly deserved – lead.

Bridges was at his irrepressible best, his sharp footwork and intellect unsettling the Sydney defence, who were similarly struggling to cope with powerful 20 year-old Sean Rooney.

Another former Sydney player, he first came close when he slid the ball across Bolton’s goal from outside the box, before being denied one-on-one by the veteran shot-stopper’s head as he advanced on the Sydney penalty area, released by a wonderful first-time ball from Song.

Sydney did finish the stronger of the two sides as the Jets looked to keep their lead heading into the half, Terry McFlynn and the hard-working Alex Brosque sending their respective efforts wide of Neil Young’s goal.

After the restart the home side might have been expected to pressure their opponents but were stunned when Bridges doubled Newcastle’s lead after just five minutes.

Matt Thompson was the architect, winning a 50-50 challenge with Simon Colosimo on half-way and taking advantage of the out-of-position centre-back, sliding Bridges in-behind the Sydney defence.

Advancing on goal unchallenged, the striker kept his cool and produced a top class finish, simply caressing the ball past Bolton and inside the near post.

Only seven minutes later and a superb piece of build-up play that began with Jets captain Thompson ended with the same man – Bridges and Rooney involved – as he passed the ball into the back of the net and beyond the outstretched boot of the 'keeper for an unassailable 3-0 lead.

Struggling to break down a back three of Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Ljubo Milicevic and Ben Kantarovski, long-range efforts from Mark Bridge and Stuart Musialik failed to trouble goalkeeper Young as Lavicka sent on under-performing marquee striker John Aloisi.

The change eventually inspired something of a comeback as the former Socceroo worked hard to set-up Brosque for a deserved goal on 75 minutes, the latter stabbing home after Aloisi stretched to keep Shannon Cole’s deep cross in play.

Only a minute later and the Jets might have re-extended their three goal lead but for the heroics of Bolton, who made an outstanding double-save from substitute Kaz Patafta.

And while the Sky Blues galvanized their followers at the Sydney Football Stadium, the Jets showed few nerves as they ultimately held on for a comfortable – and crucial – victory that lifts them off the bottom of the A-League ladder.

Sydney meanwhile have allowed rivals the Melbourne Victory to finish the round with a five-point lead at the top of the table.