Barbarouses nets winner as Sydney FC beat Newcastle Jets

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:17 am

Sydney FC have inflicted more pain on struggling Newcastle with a 2-1 A-League win at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Just five days after their 4-0 loss to Melbourne Victory -- the last of coach Ernie Merrick's reign before he was sacked this week -- the Jets went down fighting on Friday night against the champions in front of a crowd of 8,047.

Across their past five games, the Jets had leaked 17 goals, but they narrowed the average to a more respectable figure against the mighty Sky Blues.

It was a valiant effort from the bottom-of-the-ladder Jets, sitting 25 points behind the Blues in the A-League table.

The first goal for Sydney FC came through Adam Le Fondre, his 13th of the season. With a slick pass from Anthony Caceres, Le Fondre slotted the goal easily through soft defence in the 14th minute.

Sydney FC players celebrate with their fans at the full-time whistle.
Tony Feder/Getty Images

The Jets clawed their way back into the game just eight minutes later through some magic footwork and a powerful strike from midfielder Steven Ugarkovic from outside the box.

Sky Blues star Kosta Barbarouses made the final goal of the night look too easy, tapping it in from in front off a Milos Ninkovic pass.

The Jets were left ruing a missed chance from Panama international Abdiel Arroyo, his levelling shot bouncing off the woodwork.

Jets caretaker coach Craig Deans has more woes in preparation for round 15 against second-placed Melbourne City, with keeper Glen Moss succumbing to a calf injury late in the second half.

The Sky Blues go into the bye undefeated from their past nine games.