Melbourne City again turned on the attacking flair and this time it was too much for the Newcastle Jets to handle.
Both Bruno Fornaroli and Aaron Mooy bagged doubles as City eased to a comfortable 4-0 win to go along with their 5-1 demolishing of the Glory and Mariners in previous weeks.
Mooy was again superb in all areas and was well assisted by the burly Erik Paartalu who bossed the midfield and Harry Novillo, who has been stringing together some fine attacking displays.
For the Jets, few players shone and if they do not improve sharply they could yet again be headed towards a position right at the lower reaches of the ladder. January is shaping as a crucial month for Scott Miller to try and add some depth to his squad.
Newcastle Jets
Mark Birighitti – 5: Had little protection, particularly during the second half, but would have liked to do better with Fornaroli’s first goal.
Jason Hoffman – 4: Rightly carded for a crude challenge on Novillo who troubled him all day. No surprise to see most of the goals came through his side of the pitch.
Ben Kantarovski – 5: Was caught out a few times as a stop-gap centre half. It is hard enough to mark a man of Fornaroli’s class as a specialist centre back.
Lachlan Jackson – 4: Similar to Kantarovski. They will both be disappointed about switching off for Mooy’s first half goal which broke what had been solid resistance until then.
Lee Ki-Je – 6: Again one of the better players for the Jets. Delivery was superb and could easily have bagged numerous assists if the finishing was better. His side of defence was solid enough.
Cameron Watson – 4: The game tended to occur around him. Needed to be much more combative in midfield.
Matteo Poljak – 6: The opposite of his holding midfield partner. His diligence and quick releases forward kept the Jets right in the contest until midway through the second half when City’s class prevailed.
Enver Alivodic – 4: A quiet day for the Serb but he has been one of the better players this season so he can be forgiven for an off night.
Leonardo – 5: Seemed hindered at times with his knee issue. What he did do was decent enough. Was subbed off after the game was gone.
David Carney – 6: Received plenty of the ball but did not do a great deal with it. Perhaps slightly distracted by the talk of a possible January move.
Milos Trifunovic – 3: A poor display from the front man. Turned over possession on numerous occasions and looked disinterested at times.
Substitutes
Nick Cowburn – 6: probably should have started as he gave a far more assured performance than Watson.
Ryan Kitto – 5: Had little chance to really show what he could do but his touches for the most part were not sharp enough.
Braedyn Crowley – 5: Came on with nothing to gain but lost few admirers either.
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