Newcastle Jets thrash Wellington Phoenix to claim first win of season

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:01 am

Arthur Papas claimed his first win as Newcastle coach after a double from Beka Mikeltadze helped the Jets on their way to a resounding 4-0 A-League Men win over the Wellington Phoenix on Friday night.

The Jets coach also enjoyed his first clean sheet of the season with his defence, which had conceded two goals in all three previous games this season, keeping the Phoenix frontline in check at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Mikeltadze, whose ability to dictate play and drop deep caused all sorts of problems for the Phoenix, scored either side of the break with two finishes from close range.

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Dylan Murnane added a third for the hosts after some intricate work in the box from Brazilian Daniel Penha in the 69th minute, before the latter completed the rout late on.

Wellington managed to prevent in-form Newcastle winger Valentino Yuel from scoring but he was integral to the Jets' attacking raids.

The 27-year-old tested Phoenix goalkeeper Oli Sail early but was unable to turn in a corner, while the Wellington No.1 also flicked away one of Yuel's low drives.

Yuel's forays forward down the left were causing problems, but it was on the right where Newcastle got their breakthrough in the 32nd minute.

Newcastle Jets players celebrate as they claimed their first win of the season.
Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images

Olivier Boumal moved towards the byline and with the Phoenix defence focused on the Cameroonian, Mikeltadze was able to drop off.

Boumal cut the ball back to the Georgia international who steered his effort home through a crowded goalmouth.

Newcastle nearly made it two in quick succession when Penha fired a shot at Sail who parried to his right, with Yuel unable to convert a routine finish just before halftime.

The Jets picked up where they left off after the break with Jordan Elsey glancing a header wide of the post before Mikeltadze added his second less than a minute later.

Newcastle were not done yet, and after he fired a 30-yard rocket onto the crossbar, Penha then weaved his way through a sea of Phoenix defenders to play in Murnane, who coolly finished for his first A-League goal.

Wellington had no response to the home sides' dominance and Ufuk Talay's side were unresponsive to his instructions from the touchline.

Penha took advantage of some feeble Phoenix defence, completing the scoring in the 80th minute to seal the three points and Papas' first win as Jets coach.